Unanswered questions

Category: Letters

Created on Thursday, 10 May 2012 00:09

Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 June 2012 12:33

Published Date

Written by Dan Eckstein

To The Editor:

The Harwood Union Middle School held an open meeting on May 3 to discuss proposed changes to the math curriculum and programming at both Harwood and Crossett Brook Middle Schools. There was a large turnout with attendance fairly evenly spread across all six district towns. A panel of dedicated administrators and district math professionals and teachers presented a lot of helpful information and attendees asked many questions regarding the math curriculum and the level of rigor in the middle schools in general. Due to the format of the meeting and the number of people in attendance, many of the questions that were asked remain unanswered.

A decision had been made that would have necessitated students who were ready for algebra in eighth grade to take both the standard eighth-grade math class as well as an online algebra class, the work for which would have taken place mainly outside of school. Other proposals have since been put forth to try to address parents’ various concerns. If you are interested in these topics, there will be an open parent-led meeting on Thursday, May 10, at 7 p.m., at the Waitsfield Elementary School to talk more about math in the middle schools. Parents and educators (who are also often parents) have varying perspectives on this issue; come share yours. You can also go to the next school board meeting on May 16 at 6 p.m. in the Harwood library, which will include time devoted to middle school math.

Dan Eckstein

Warren

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