This is the web site for Parents for Quality Math Education, a group of parents and other taxpayers in the State College Area School District that is seeking a change in the math programs used at the elementary and middle school levels in the District.
Spring 2009: The Petition and the Board Vote on “Investigations”
In April of 2009, PQME began a petition drive to urge the SCASD Board of Directors to discontinue the use of TERC’s “Investigations” curriculum in K-5 as well as “Connected Math” for grades 6-8. Over 750 signatures were collected and many of the signers left comments sharing their frustrations with these programs. Standardized testing results have shown that SCASD has gone from being among the top 20% of Pennsylvania’s school districts in math to being in the middle of the pack. Despite the dissatisfaction expressed by parents, the District’s sliding standing in math, and an open letter signed by 20 Penn State mathematicians, the Board voted 6-3 to spend $37,000 to purchase the 2nd edition of “Investigations” for grades K, 3, and 4. Board members voting for the purchase were Evans, Hutchinson, Madore, Queeney, Roper, and Stahl. Voting against were McGlaughlin, Pawelczyk, and Small.
What’s the Problem with TERC’s “Investigations”?
Parents who have complaints about “Investigations” are not arguing for rote memorization of math facts or “mindless” drilling. No one has suggested that considering the concepts behind math operations is a bad idea. Students and parents have been frustrated by “Investigations” overemphasis on written explanations of thinking, lack of the practice that that is necessary for computational efficiency, excessive use of calculators, failure to introduce the standard U.S. algorithm, simplistic homework, and poor preparation for pre-algebra, algebra, and higher math classes. For further background on how programs like “Investigations” came to be, read this historical account by Cal State-Northridge mathematician David Klein. For detailed explanations and critiques of TERC’s “Investigations” follow the links in the sidebar at right, particularly Bill Quirk’s site and the video “Math Education: An Inconvenient Truth”.
What You Can Do
- Talk to your child’s teacher and principal about math
- Write the SCASD Board of Directors
- Attend/speak at a Board meeting
- Stay informed by visiting this site and by signing up for the PQME weekly e-mail newsletter
- Let us know if you would like to contribute to our blog or if you have resources or information you would like to see on this site
