Middle School Math Curriculum Sparks Debate

The current math curriculum at Brittany Woods Middle School was a subject of heated debate Thursday night at the University City Board of Education meeting.

Dr. Jamie Jordan, the middle school principal, and Nikki Davenport, the district’s math and science coordinator, presented an information item on the sixth grade math curriculum to the board that sparked a discussion on the status of the entire middle school curriculum. Ellen Bern, the secretary of the board, questioned the reasoning in allowing 7th graders to jump straight into Algebra from 6th grade. She wanted to know if there wasn’t a better way to go about preparing all students for high school math by maintaining a more balanced and even curriculum across the board, especially since there have only been six students so far this year recommended for advanced math classes from the sixth grade.

“If the kids have the skill level, we move them forward,” superintendent Dr. Joylynn Wilson Pruitt said in defense of the current curriculum.

School Board member and State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal also voiced her concern and inquired if the district had considered taking a look at other districts and how their math programs fared. She recommended an outside opinion, specifically that of the old math coordinator who currently teaches in the Clayton School District. Clayton features an exceptional math program of its own, and Chappelle-Nadal recommended the district look at what works so well for them rather than starting from scratch.

Dr. Jordan was quick to point out that there are a variety of different ideas and methods out there for middle-school math curriculum, and just because one works for one district does not mean it will work as well in another.

“There is no definite answer as to what the best curriculum is,” Dr. Jordan said. “We are willing to work with every family and student to ensure they are properly placed.”

The board asked for the opinion of Caroline Martinez, the new student representative on the board, who painted a grim picture of how advanced placement affects students once they enter high school. She saw a sharp separation between those in the advanced classes and the other students, going on record to say that it felt like the rest of the school is given up on in favor of the advanced students.

The board’s newest member, Rick Salamon, proposed a style similar to the one he experienced as an educator in the Wentzville School District. There, the set-up was Pre-Algebra 1 in 6th grade, Pre-Algebra 2 in 7th grade and Algebra 1 in 8th grade. That way, everyone is guaranteed a strong foundation in Algebra and advanced classes can wait for high school.

“We need to make the program more inclusive. A C in Algebra is better than an A in general math,” Salamon said.

Bern agreed with Salamon’s position. She said it's not OK for any 6th grader to jump into Algebra. She believed this to be something that the district had to look into before the start of the 2012-2013 school year.

“We are not putting this off,” Dr. Chauna Williams, the district assistant superintendent, said to the board following the presentation. “First, we must take a deliberate look at the current curriculum and our options before settling on what direction we are headed.”

The board also publicly recognized the 2010-2011 Teacher and Educational Support Personnel of the Year. Cassandra Connor, a science teacher at University City High School, was named the Teacher of the Year in only her second year as an instructor.

“Some people just walk in the door master teachers,” Pruitt said of Connor’s remarkable start to her career.

After 25 years of loyal service to the district, Charlotte Tatum was named the Educational Support Personnel of the Year. The current Board Administrative Supporter, she was praised for her optimism and meticulous work ethic in support of her receiving such a high honor in recognition to her years of contribution.