Program not the Problem, Just a Sign of a Bigger Issue - Reader comments at The New York Sun

Reader comment on:
Texas Challenges City on Math Curriculum
in response to reader comment: District 2

Submitted by Linda Black, May 8, 2008 11:21

I am a huge advocate of the EDM Program. Having taught elementary math for 10 years prior to the purchase of EDM, I found the program to be the challenging and frustrating during my first year of implementation. During that time period I did a lot of research on how students learn best in math and found that it wasn't the program that was lacking, it was my professional knowledge base. When thinking back to my undergrad math classes, I remember little discussion on strategies and problem solving and lots of exposure to rote, constant fact practice. During my second year of implementation, I loved the program and how it made my students think mathematically. The problem solving and real life focus helped my students master number sense in a highly practice way. I don't in any way feel that the EDM leaves out basic fact mastery, but I do agree that most teachers skip over the areas of the program that make create the fluency. The program teaches multiple strategies for basic fact mastery, but most classroom teachers choose not to teach them and then leave out the games that make them become automatic. The EDM Program anticipates that teachers have a solid understanding and ability in the content standards as well as the process standards in mathematics. It has been my experience that most elementary teachers feel inadequate in their own ability to 'do' math. I think the problem lies not in the EDM Program, but in the training of our teachers in math instruction.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I am a member of our local school board and after adoption Everyday Math our scores plummeted from many years... [MORE]	Ira Schoppa	Jan 21, 2008 15:06
As a parent of a freshman in high school now I have to respond to this article. If you want... [MORE]	CF	Jan 9, 2008 06:55
Dallas ISD stands alone in their success in improving math test scores when compared to other large school districts in... [MORE]	Jesse Arnett	Dec 5, 2007 12:41
The real truth behind DISD is that it's one of the worst districts in the state, and a set of... [MORE]	JG	Dec 19, 2007 03:24
JG'a response is typical when a disgruntled parent is faced with the facts of success. They always resort to name-calling... [MORE]	Jesse Arnett	Jan 14, 2008 19:10
To previous poster Jesse Arnett In regard to your association with Everyday Math It appears that one Melissa Arnett is a TX... [MORE]	Elizabeth Carson	Jan 24, 2008 13:11
Everyday Mathematics is published by McGraw Hill, the same idiots profiteering from NCLB. These big Bush supporters are making millions... [MORE]	Richard Skibins	Nov 30, 2007 22:09
Everyday Math is a terrible math program for elementary students! If you school wants to adopt it, speak up! We've been... [MORE]	Mary F.	Nov 30, 2007 11:38
The secret but poowerful Fabian socialist movement in academia has just one purpose,and that is to convert us to socialism.... [MORE]	Alex Stuart	Nov 30, 2007 10:52
It has been in use for 7 years in the Wauwatosa School District. It was adopted without a track record.... [MORE]	I Potkonjak	Nov 28, 2007 17:13
California has recently conducted a mathematics textbook adoption review. In order to be approved, a mathematics program must be judged... [MORE]	M. Jekabson	Nov 25, 2007 23:44
District 2 uses TERC, which isn't that much better. [MORE]	Ari	Nov 21, 2007 01:30
I am a huge advocate of the EDM Program. Having taught elementary math for 10 years prior to the purchase...	Linda Black	May 8, 2008 11:21
"Not all New York City elementary schools follow the curriculum; some — including many schools in District 2 — have... [MORE]	Mel	Nov 20, 2007 10:06
My daughter is in the 2nd grade in Houston ISD. Early this year we noticed an incomprehensible series of worksheets... [MORE]	JG	Dec 19, 2007 03:32
Whie you are checking out "private" schools in Houston, take a look at River Oaks Baptist School. I was on... [MORE]	Jesse Arnett	Jan 14, 2008 18:58
As far as disgrunted parents versus instructors and PhD's who "developed" the program, might I add that you may want... [MORE]	Susan	Mar 21, 2008 17:17