Michael DeBell comments on "Discovering Algebra"

On April 22, 2009, the Seattle School Board tied on a vote to adopt the Key Curriculum Press "Discovering Algebra, Geometry and Advanced Algebra" high school math textbooks. One board member was absent, and the final vote will be taken on May 6, 2009. We would like to thank Michael DeBell, Seattle School Board President, for taking the time to research the math curriculum recommendations in his district. He showed a great example of informed oversight and its importance.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Seattle
• Math
• Mathematics Curriculum
• DeBell
• Discovering Algebra
• Key Curriculum Press
• Seattle School Board

[SeattleGrant]

Brilliant, eloquent, and such wonderful common sense in stating why Seattle Schools must adopt a strong math program to compete in a global economy.

[billsoman]

As a technical professional for 24 years I agree completely with DeBell, and was very impressed with his reasoning. After reviewing the textbook - it's appalling. Variables are first mentioned nearly 100 pages into the text! And its verbosity and paucity of practice work are a problem for all learners of all levels of English proficiency. The WA State Board of Education recommends avoiding it, and I'm surprised any board member would vote for this book over the Prentice-Hall series.

[kfmh06]

I teach 8th grade algebra and we are between this text and Holt. The JH teachers as well as the high school teachers do not want this book. We also use the Connected Math series for 6-8 (8th graders taking pre-algebra) and are finding some serious gaps in student understanding and reasoning. To answer the question of why school districts are adopting such texts...someone is getting a nice cut from the publishers! Its the only logical reason why we get these texts.

[zfk1000]

I wouldnt burn this book because it would be a waste of fire.

[Oswald1916]

I thought Mr. DeBell expressed his views well. As a Seattle private school math teacher, with a son in a public school, I've thought about this issue quite a bit.

My one issue is that he implies that to do better, we should adopt other countries' approach to math. He doesn't take into account culture and effort. Our kids expect to be done with HW quickly, to learn fast, and to forget material in a month. Perhaps we should have a national test, like they do? Oh, wait, that's too Socialist.

[danaherd]

Teachers must follow a pacing plan and teach from the Everyday Math book. Proficiency in Long division is a state standard but not taught in Seattle because it is not in the book. DeBell is right on.

This failed USA Inquiry math experiment needs to end .. more failure is hardly needed.

To improve a system requires the intelligent application of relevant data ... At last a few intelligent school directors are surfacing. Improvement may come if four surface at Wednesday's vote.

[BubblingHibiscus]

It is worth listening to this entire video, I agree with DeBell's comments entirely, and appreciate very much how thoughtfully he has considered the recommendation. I work in a Seattle middle school with a high ESL population and I can attest that these "progressive" text oriented math curricula are a huge challenge for students who are not extremely competent English language readers.

[pkthead]

And the school boards will disregard opinion that does not agree with their own.

Stop the experiment all across the USA; it's not working. Teach some math.

[biukucanoe]

translation: Discovering algebra is junky fuzzy math. Grow up and dump it. Why is the education industry so invested in promoting such awful math texts?