Day 143In 2015 Graham Fletcher had a beef with the State Superintendent of Education in Georgia. To paraphrase, Superintendent Woods wrote a column where he stated his disapproval of the Common Core Standards. Woods is a proponent of memorized procedures and algorithms and referred to the Common Core standards as "funny math". Graham communicated his concerns in a well-crafted letter. While none of us educators expect our educational leaders to be experts in all subject matters taught pre-K through 12, we absolutely do expect them to consult EXPERTS in content AND pedagogy in each subject and grade level before making unilateral decision. Superintendent Woods was at it again when he was recorded sharing his beliefs about our youngest learners. While he states that he is no expert in math education, he uses his stage to renounce the efforts of math educators and experts across the country who are working to provide students with a high quality mathematics education where thinking and sense making are central. Visit Graham Fletcher's blog to read his post by clicking HERE. Watch an excerpt from Superintendent Woods shared in an Oct. 22nd @gfletchy tweet.
Graham Fletcher articulated his concerns to his superintendent. No response. This isn't unique to Georgia. Too often, educational leaders who are not experts in math or elementary education or reading, work with disgruntled staff with little training or affection for their subject matter and make unilateral decisions that impact all educators. Graham is right - Welcome Back 2001! I say, Welcome Back 1985! I wish we, as a nation, had more respect for teachers and student learning. I wish our progress was more forward and less regressive. We have learned so much about how children learn, particularly in the area of mathematics, yet you wouldn't know it by scrutinizing our curriculum choices.
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Marie McManus BrighamA public school teacher who gets to wonder alongside fourth-graders. Archives
December 2018
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