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DEL.ICIO.USNew Math and Diahann Carroll
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So the state school board approved an integrated math curriculum. Gotta love the eduspeak. Here’s a blurb from my colleague Mary MacDonald’s story explaining what that is:
**The new math standards for Georgia high schools will require teachers to weave elements of algebra, geometry, statistics and other topics into their classes, instead of teaching them as separate branches of math.
The curriculum, which will be phased in over several years, is based on a Japanese model not commonly found in the United States.
James Pratt, the high school math supervisor for Cobb County, said the integrated approach is common sense. “The way that we deal with math on an everyday basis anyway is not, ‘Oh, this is an algebra thing. This is a geometry thing.’ It’s math,” said Pratt, who served on the committee that revised the standards. “This will allow students to see those connections.”**
Integrating is tricky. The Gwinnett district tried integrating the social studies curriculum several years ago, but it had to abandon the idea after other school districts and textbook publishers didn’t jump on board. That’s not to say integrated math won’t work. It’s a statewide curriculum, and there seems to be support from informed sources.
Integrated math: thumbs up or thumbs down?
P.S. On an unrelated note, no offense to Diahann Carroll, who received an honorary degree from Spelman on Sunday, but what is the deal with honorary degrees??? Are they a slap in the face to those who attended classes and actually earned their degree?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Shauna
May 16, 2005 03:36 PM | Link to this
I think that math should be kept separate. I did great in everything but geometry. I hated it. I guess we’ll see how the students do.
By lynn
May 16, 2005 04:15 PM | Link to this
My concern with the states curriculum are three fold,
First, funding. With the current Governor and state legislature holding tight pursestrings where is the money going to come from for new textbooks, end of course tests and training.
Second, teacher training. I have no faith that all of Georgia’s teachers will be well trained or trained at all. I recently had a DeKalb County middle school math teacher complain to me that the county is requiring “mandatory training” this summer. She said she is not a year round employee (this is a contract type) and that her summers were hers).
How will we ever insure that teachers who have only been teaching geometry for the last 20 years will be prepared to teach integrated math? What about vacancies that occur during the school year? How will they be filled?
And finally, parts of Georgia are among the fastest growing parts of this country. Kids will be coming for all over and how will they every catch up.
By C.R.H.
May 16, 2005 04:36 PM | Link to this
“integrated math” = watered down math. Integrated math is basically remedial math. It does have components of some areas of math (algebra, geometry, etc…) but it is on a very low level. Don’t panic, there will be a corresponding (useless) end of course test for integrated amth.
By Don
May 17, 2005 08:51 AM | Link to this
Spelman awarding the degree seems to be anything but a slap in the face. It is recognizing a celebrity, politician, athlete or etc, for their life long achievement towards what the University considers a commendable and noteworthy purpose. Honorary degrees are good publicity for the university and most times only awarded to individuals who have dedicated themselves over a lifetime. The truth is to point out Diahann Carroll for receiving a honorary degree is a slap in the face. She is not the first and no alumni from Spelman has complained, so whats your point?
By dgr
May 17, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this
I agree with Don, I’m somewhat disappointed in the fact that you pointed it out. It seems totally relevant for an African American female university to award an African American woman who has fought many struggles/stereotypes to be who she is an honorary degree. The P.S. should have been left out.
By Darrell Nearon
May 17, 2005 09:14 AM | Link to this
WOULD YOU HAVE POSTED YOUR QUESTION ABOUTHONORARY DEGREES IF THE RECEIPENT WERE HENRY KISSENGER AND THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION WERE YALE OR EMORY?
By Shauna
May 17, 2005 09:41 AM | Link to this
You guys are making wonderful points. I didn’t think twice about Dianne getting an honorary degree. I personally think that it’s great. But, we do still live in America and as long as we are not considered worthy, we will always have questions like this one asked. I try not to take it too personally, which is why I did not comment on it before. No one would have looked twice if MIT gave an honorary degree to Monica Lewinsky. I know it’s hard, but try not to take it personal. This is exactly the kind of treatment that we have to educate our children about and teach them not to worry too much about it. In order to teach this to our children, we must show them by example. It really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, Spellman thought she deserved it and they awarded it to her. Let her enjoy it and let’s all just be proud not of her but for her.
By Ann
May 17, 2005 10:09 AM | Link to this
Back off with the race card. The question was about Honorary degrees in general…Diahann Carroll was used as an example of someone who recieved an honorary degree. It was not about HER PERSONALLY. It was about HONORARY DEGREES as a whole. Ugh.
By Shauna
May 17, 2005 10:24 AM | Link to this
Ann,
Maybe it was ONLY
By Don
May 17, 2005 10:24 AM | Link to this
My comment was not targeted toward race. It answered her question. If no one from the Univ or its alumni group is complaining, whats the point.
By Shauna
May 17, 2005 10:25 AM | Link to this
Ann,
Maybe it was ONLY about honorary degrees but why did the question only come about once Diahann got one? I’m sure she’s not the only person getting one this time of year. Why her?
By dgr
May 17, 2005 10:32 AM | Link to this
The point is Ann, why point out Diahann Carroll? It is graduation season - Agnes Scott just graduated, I’m sure they gave honorary degrees. No one is pulling the race card, it is what it is, and it’s a card you seemingly haven’t had to deal with. I’m sure what ever university Patti graduated from gives honorary degrees - why not just speak from her perspective?
By Sly
May 17, 2005 10:35 AM | Link to this
Get a life Shauna. Your commentary is weak. The University can do what it wants with honorary degrees. They’re worthless anyway.
By Ann
May 17, 2005 10:35 AM | Link to this
Shauna, maybe it was because the award was given on Sunday, and the blog was written on Monday.
By LISA
May 17, 2005 10:47 AM | Link to this
I myself don’t believe any degree which require hard work and studying should be given to any one.It’s not right and It shouldn’t matter if they are actors and actress.It’s awful and the education system need to stop being hypocrite.I myself as a black woman respect Mrs Carroll but I must say that wasn’t right.I’am not with the white black thing for I know that exist so I’am over that!!!you know Dr.Martin Luther King said before he died:This fight is not about race along!!it’s about what’s right and what wrong.
By Shauna
May 17, 2005 10:57 AM | Link to this
You guys can jump on me all you want but please explain to me why this P.S. was necessary. The original blog was about math. They don’t mix.
By Patti Ghezzi
May 17, 2005 10:59 AM | Link to this
Yikes, I had trouble logging on to my computer today so I’m late clarifying my thought process.
I went on ajc.com yesterday trolling for a story on integrated math to link to. Didn’t find it, but I did see some photos of actress Diahann Carroll accepting an honorary degree from Spelman. Got me thinking about honorary degrees and wondering what the purpose of them is.
Full disclosure: Earlier this month, I graduated from Kennesaw State University. I put a lot of work into that degree, more than I did for my undergraduate, and I just may hang the piece of paper on a wall somewhere in my house. So maybe that’s why the concept of the honorary degree struck me.
That’s all, folks. I’m sorry I mentioned it, because it detracted from what I was really hoping to generate discussion about: integrated math.
Patti
By Patti Ghezzi
May 17, 2005 11:08 AM | Link to this
Brad Bryant, state board of education member, sent me an e-mail noting the following:
“You might want to connect readers to the Fordham Foundation link on your page - it shows how Georgia’s standards relate to other states. What I like about the comment is the introductory paragraph that states “Georgia standards are on the right track, and with further improvements they could be ranked in the top category.” I am sure that you and Mary have already seen that report - but the readers might like it as an objective review of Georgia’s standards.”
So here’s the link
Patti
By LISA
May 17, 2005 11:16 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand the explanation are the need to apologize for your topics.This is your set up Patti okay!!!we need to dialogue on topics from all angel of life!!!I myself as a black women is not afraid!!! and I wish we as the people will accept other people views and opinion without taking them to heart.Patti a good topic to talk about will be the book by Micheal Eric Dyson IS BILL COSBY RIGHT!! Mr Dyson also ask the question have the middle class blacks lost there mind!I saw him sunday on Cspan program AFTER WORDS. It was hottttt!!!
By David
May 17, 2005 11:47 AM | Link to this
Patti,
I feel your pain. But, and there’s always a but, degrees are worth the paper they’re printed on. I made over $100k a year with a HS diploma. I now have a MS Ed. and make $42k. It’s what you do with yourself after you get the paper that is important. An honorary law degree will not let the individual practice law, as it were.
Honorary degrees are simply a way for a university or college to tell someone that they are valued by the university even if they never attended (It’s also a way for the university to pick up some much needed cash for those scholarship students).
By JR
May 17, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this
I think it should be both!
Use real world math to solve practical problems. This way the student see applied math working in a concrete way. AND also teach theoretical math and math problems to learn how to do the math processes. To learn how to work out the steps and learn what the math may be used for.
It’s not either/or, but BOTH!
By Mary
May 17, 2005 01:41 PM | Link to this
Patti, I have trouble respecting the Fordham Foundation’s “reportâ€?. When I compare their “Honor Roll” schools to national and international scores, such as from the NAEP and TIMSS studies, you can almost tell just by the Fordham Foundation who’s going to score well, and not.
For example, GA gets good marks for standards, yet bombs on test scores. CA scores really well for standards, yet really bombs on test scores. It goes on and on like that. CO and WA score poorly on Fordham’s study, and then really well on testing. NAEP, NEGP, Quality Counts, and EdWeek*.”>http://www.edweek.com/rc/index.html). * reg required When I review the Fordham report, it smacks more of a political agenda than an actual analysis of results. I’d rather see some hard facts rather than hand-picked “experts” opinions. That’s not to say any states are perfect, but in my humble opinion, the Fordham report is merely their opinion masquerading as fact.
By Patti Ghezzi
May 17, 2005 01:53 PM | Link to this
Mary, Yes, the Fordham Foundation is right-leaning. That’s why I included the source of the recommendation that I post the link. Chester Finn, author of many of the Fordham Foundation’s education reports, visited the AJC along with Georgia Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox.
Patti
By dmyers
May 17, 2005 02:19 PM | Link to this
Isn’t it amazing that so many home schooled children do so well. And their “teachers” often have no more than a H.S. education. What’s up with a teacher with a PHD making $80,00 a year teaching second graders?
I think we could learn a WHOLE lot from home schooling. I would rather see a smaller teacher pupil ratio than requiring a second grade teacher to get a masters degree….which in turns means that the school has to fork out more money.
By math teacher
May 17, 2005 03:09 PM | Link to this
We used an integrated math approach in New York State. The curriculum there was a lot more rigorous than it is here in GA. We also have a regents exam that students must pass in order to earn credit for their course.
By Sylvia
May 18, 2005 10:30 AM | Link to this
The fact that math standards are being discussed in terms of politics - a “political agenda” or “right-leaning” (Fordham Foundation) is interesting. One would think that math would be immune to right wing or left wing politics, but it isn’t - hence the problem with much of our curriculum. I have read The Fordham Foundation report and find the conclusions to be quite reasonable, although I do question how a state like California can rate so high. I am also wary of becoming too enamored with Japan since their school year is 240 days versus our 180 days - a situation I would not want to see emulated - ever!
By Nikole
May 26, 2005 12:47 PM | Link to this
An honorary degree is not a slap in the face of us “real” graduates. It is just what the name implies, an honor bestowed upon the recipient for their contributions to our culture and society. And Ms. Carroll recieving one from a black women’s college makes perfect sense.