How's that "New Math" going?

 

Here's the math that BCEd tells us that kids don't need in the real world.

It's a brand new year yet the same problems seem to be cropping up in public education.  Despite millions being poured into our schools, there's even more being poured into extra tutoring when kids arrive home from the classroom because they can't read or do basic arithmetic.  Despite overwhelming research demonstrating how student centre learning harms kids, our education leaders insist on pushing this failed agenda in their bid to suit a narrative that makes education consultants rich on the backs of frustrated parents, stressed out teachers, and anxiety laden children.  More funding isn't the solution, yet special interest groups cry foul, insisting that governments give them even more funding, to fix a problem that they, themselves, are responsible for creating.

The reality is chilling, yet parents continue to stay silent, or even worse, align themselves with unionist interests, in a sympathetic and desperate belief that teachers, along with the edu establishment, will help them.  They won't. We need to find a footing, and a commonality to voice our concerns, and to hold the system accountable, because in a post pandemic world, kids need us now more than ever to advocate for them.

Even before COVID things were pretty dire.  It's hard to find any evidence based data in BC and especially in education. This 2020 student survey shows that the number one concern students had, was their struggles with math education. The response? Crickets...well that, and cancelling Honour Math programs in the Vancouver School District. 

In the 21st century classroom, BC curriculum guidelines dictate that kids learn to use calculators in Kindergarten, and preach that memorization harms children.  They suggest the "new world" does not require kids to know their times tables, even though images in the workplace suggest otherwise.  Reality does not wait for these workers to whip out their smartphone to find the answer; they need to know their math facts.  

Images taken at an Industrial worksite, 2023

So who's right?

When we have overwhelming evidence that determines, "School-entry math skills are a stronger predictor of later academic achievement than early reading or socio-emotional skills (Duncan et al., 2007), and low mathematical competence is associated with lower indices of life success (Parsons and Bynner, 2005).", and that strong math skills create a strong economy, why are our education leaders so averse to giving our kids the skills they require to be successful in life?  When we know that above all subject areas, math, in particular, is the most crucial, why do we tolerate the weakest math curriculum in North America? 

All international and provincial data show a declining result of student achievement, and still, we stay silent.  As our kids, and students slip through the cracks, we do nothing? That's no longer acceptable.

There are solutions. This is entirely fixable. First, we need to insist that our education leaders listen to us. Today.  Parents have much more power than they think they do, as do our teachers.  If there were 10, or even 5 parents who demanded a meeting with their School Superintendent, to contact their local newspaper, and demand better or boycott their child's classroom, meaningful discussions would ensue.  Funding follows the child. Without bums in seats, the funding ceases to exist.  School leaders know this. Make them listen to you. 

Second, our MLA's create legislation. That is their job.  We must demand legislation that allows for Charter Schools in our Province.  I believe firmly in public education, but the current system has been hijacked by special interests, and so alternatives must exist for those families and teachers who want to do something right.  These excellent alternatives can be a reality in very quick succession, if the public demands it. So if we want schools in our communities like this, or this, get started in lobbying your local MLA to make it happen.

There are other groups springing up in this Province, disenfranchised parents, educators and others who are beyond frustrated with the status quo and want to do something to make it better.  If you're interested in joining on, contact me here, or leave a comment.  The time has come to end the discussion, and start making this right for our next generation.  Demanding that government fix this, without rolling up our own sleeves and realizing that WE, are the government, rings hollow.  

Let's do this.