Michael Kasloff
New Explorations
into Science Technology and Math
By Email
Dear Mr Kasloff,
I was grateful for
the opportunity to attend a recent open house for the new public K-12 school,
New Explorations into Science technology and Math in
Celenia Chevere is
a highly respected professional. As I know you are aware, she founded several
very successful schools including the
Parents in
District 2 are seeking new school options for their children, particularly in
middle and high school. As we all are aware, there aren’t enough seats in the
better schools. The district can not nearly accommodate all the elementary and
middle school students who wish to attend our middle and high schools. We need
more Stuyvesants AND we need quality
neighborhood schools at all levels. The offering of a neighborhood K-12
school continuum is particularly attractive to many parents I know. I wish
there were currently plans for more models like yours.
As I shared with
you at Tuesday night’s orientation, I have grave reservations about the math
curricula your school plans to implement, especially in light of your schools’
particular focus in science and math.
TERC, CMP and ARISE are very controversial programs, as I know you are
aware. District 2 parents are very unhappy about their use.
The programs are
based on an ideology that limits
teachers’ freedom to adequately
train students in basic arithmetic, algebra and standard components of pre-college
high school mathematics. The programs
do not fully address the skills students will require for the citywide CTB Math
test or the NY state 4th and 8th grade test.
I have been recently informed that the new state 8th grade science test
requires a significant level of mathematical knowledge. Middle school science
teachers at my son' current school are
very concerned that our 8th graders have not and are not likely to become
adequately prepared for science coursework and assessments with our middle
school program, CMP.
To expect
teachers, many who will be new to teaching and many who have limited math
backgrounds, to skillfully use primarily constructivist teaching practices;
with programs that lack a coherent structure, with vague grade by grade content
standards and no clearly established system of assessment is extremely ill-
considered. Additionally, the fact that the programs are heavily based in
literacy exercises and have no texts in the elementary and middle school
grades; combined with the probability that a significant portion of your parent
population will have cultural and linguistic roots that may well prevent both
their wholehearted endorsement of constructivist instruction and limit their capacity to support the work at
home, make dim the prospects for a productive school/parent partnership.
The aforementioned
issues, together clearly suggest a need for either a well considered plan for
systemic supplementation in all grades or replacement of the programs with
superior programs.
In our first
conversation I suggested you consider Singapore Math, which you can view at www.singaporemath.com Many university
mathematicians and scientists, who have become engaged in discussions regarding
the present K-12 NCTM math reform, strongly endorse this program. It is
rigorous and balanced, offering coherent address of conceptual development,
problem solving and skills mastery.
I also suggest you
consider the
The California
Standards have been widely endorsed by
members of the education, mathematics and high technology business communities;
among them:
John Chambers,
President and CEO, Cisco Systems, Inc
Thomas Proux,
author, Quicken software
Heidi Roizen,
Former Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations, Apple Computer Inc
Heidi Glidden,
Research staff, Educational Issues, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and
research analyst, Making Standards Matter(AFT,1996) (AFT)
Harold Stevenson,
Director, Ethnographic Case Studies Project, Third International Mathematics
and Science Study
Richard Schoen,
Jaime Escalante,
Mathematics Teacher, High School, Sacramento (Mr Escalante’s teaching of
Advanced placement calculus at Garfield High School in East LA was the basis of
the motion picture Stand and Deliver)
Frank Allen,
Former President of the NCTM
Shoumen Datta,
PhD, Chair National Task Force on Basic Mathematics and Science Competencies
(sponsored by the US Departments of Commerce, Labor and Education)
Edward L Anderson,
PhD, Former Chief, Chemical Separations
David Levinson,
Staff Aerospace Engineer, Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space,
Thank you for your
time and attention to my concerns about
the math curricula you plan to use at New Explorations into Science, Technology
and Math. I hope we might perhaps have further conversations about math
education in the very enar future.
I extend to you
again an open invitation meet and consult with a group of distinguished NYU
mathematicians and scientists who have become interested in participating in
NYC mathematics education reform initiatives
I wish you and
Celenia Chevere the best, in establishing an exemplary school in CSD #1.
Best regards,
Elizabeth Carson
Cc Chancellor
Harold O Levy