Perhaps someone on the School Board can tell us how mathematics is being taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools? That is, given that the people below don't believe that math programs linked to the Profiles of Learning are working.
Michael Atherton Prospect Park -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Press Release: PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW 11TH GRADE MATH RESULTS Date: Thu, 03 Oct 2002 11:28:51 -0500 From: MREdCo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Maple River Education Coalition (MREdCo) 1402 Concordia Avenue St. Paul, MN 55104 http://www.EdWatch.org 651-646-0646 October 3, 2002 Here is our latest press release. To see the on-line version, please visit: Updates at: http://www.edwatch.org/updates/100302.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 3, 2002 CONTACT: Julie Quist (651) 646-0646 PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW 11TH GRADE MATH RESULTS Minnesota's Department of Children, Families and Learning (CFL) is refusing to release the results of the 11th grade statewide math assessments, according to the Maple River Education Coalition (MREdCo). The CFL issued a press release Tuesday regarding the 11th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) in math. It announced that kids who study more math get higher scores. "That's obvious," stated Julie Quist, Vice President of MREdCo. "It doesn't tell us anything we didn't already know." MREdCo is asking the CFL to release the tests results. The assessments were given last April to juniors who were in 8th grade when the Profile of Learning began. "The Department tested students in math, but they won't tell us what the scores are," said Quist. "They tell us that if we knew the results we would compare districts and schools, and that wouldn't be fair." MREdCo's position is that living in a free society requires that the public be given accurate information. According to Julie Quist, "freedom requires that citizens be trusted to make good decisions based on accurate information. If you can't trust the citizens, you won't have freedom." CFL's refusal to release test results suggests that they don't want the public to know what those test results are, according to MREdCo. They believe that a comparison of districts and schools would tell something about which math curriculums are working and which aren't. According to Dr. Gray, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the UM School of Mathematics, the Profile of Learning and integrated math have resulted in high school students taking less algebra than they used to. Dr. Gray also noted at an education conference in Brooklyn Center last month that college and university students with an inadequate background in algebra will have to take remedial math classes in college in order to be successful. Parents in some areas of the state have been successful in keeping traditional math in their local public schools. Other schools, however, have adopted the new "reformed" or "integrated" math, such as "Core Plus," that meet the Profile of Learning requirements, but which have less emphasis on basic math skills. Carol Ingersoll, a Roseville, Minnesota parent who opposes integrated math, stated that "integrated math uses math lessons to teach issues like overpopulation and environmentalism instead of basic math skills. Calculators are used early and often, so students are dependent on them. Kids are missing their basics." "MREdCo has been telling the public for years that the Profile- style integrated math curriculum is a disaster for our kids," said Julie Quist. "Districts all over the state are adopting inferior curriculum because it meets the standards." MREdCo is a grassroots group of parents, teachers, business owners and taxpayers who are committed to high academic achievement in the schools and local control of education. They oppose the Profile of Learning and the federal requirements that have put it in place. ################################################################### MREdCo is entirely user-supported. The continuation of our research and distribution work is dependent upon individual contributors. If you want to assure that our work continues, link to -- http://www.edwatch.org/contributionform.html If you want to subscribe or unsubscribe to this MREdCo e-mail service, mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Put "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" in the SUBJECT of the message. _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
