Commenters on the AJC Get School blog discussed the ongoing controversy over integrated versus traditional math instruction. Recently, Fulton Superintendent Robert Avossa raised concerns that while his district has opted to return to traditional math classes, the state still gives an End of Course Test only on the integrated approach. Here is a sampling of comments:
Smithie: I feel for these high school kids. It's become stressful enough to try to keep their grades up so they can get into a good college. Now, they have to take a test on stuff that they were not taught, and it must count for 20 percent of their grade. That will teach you for trying to go back to the "old" way to learn math — even if it actually worked, compared to the confusing way they are teaching now.
Already: On teachergeorgia.org, there 130 math jobs available right now. Good luck getting math people to leave easier, higher-paying jobs to come teach. And good luck learning math from teachers who aren't mathematically inclined.
PhysicsTeach: At one time, an eighth-grade education prepared a person for a job. They could read, write, do basic calculations and raise a family. A fifth-grade education would prepare a person for a factory job. Less than 5 percent of the population had a college degree, and few of them were medical doctors. That profession was achieved through an apprenticeship. Fifty percent of the population had below-average IQs (set at 100). Now, everyone is expected to be a college graduate, except there are no new neural brain paths. It appears that "raising expectations," "holding teachers accountable" and "teaching standards" will overcome anything. What was that definition of insanity again?
Pop: No way to fake math. One has to work hard and deal with frustration/failure to succeed.
Liberal4: People keep telling us that the integrated approach is not research-based. Well, neither is the "traditional" (or American) approach. The traditional approach is just that — something that we have been doing for a while. Where did that bring us? Mediocre achievement in one international study after another, starting in the mid-1960s. If we can say anything from research, it is that the "traditional" approach has not worked for the majority of U.S. students. Look at the graduate schools in STEM disciplines at major U.S. universities. They are full of people from countries where mathematics is taught in an "integrated" manner.
Manny: Kids need to learn how to solve problems. I don't care much how you teach them (integrated vs. traditional) as long as it is effective and sticks with them. If 63 percent of Georgia students failed the Coordinate Algebra EOCT last year, either the assessment is bad, or the teaching/learning has problems.
KeepItSimple: The sad fact is, high school is still easy. Don't feel sad these kids aren't passing this math test. Feel sad they will be starting college with horrible homework skills and self-discipline. I know, because I was there. Breeze through the ridiculously easy high school where you will get B's if you just pay attention and A's if you pay attention and put the slightest effort in (like cramming in homeroom or during the last half of lunch). It didn't even take doing homework except for the few papers each year.
