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With a controversial new elementary math textbook in Palo Alto classrooms this fall, school board members are looking for ways to make sure kids stay on track.
Board members Camille Townsend and Melissa Baten Caswell Monday sought assurances that progress of students using the Everyday Mathematics textbook series will be measured early and often.
“When there’s something this controversial around the country and we have 5,000 kids, we owe it to the community to let parent know how they’re doing along the way, before the end of the year,” Townsend said.
Townsend and Caswell were the only dissenters in the board’s 3-2 vote in April to adopt Everyday Mathematics, despite a petition opposing the adoption signed by more than 700 people. The textbook had been the enthusiastic choice of a teacher-dominated selection committee, but critics said it was light on basic skills.
Superintendent Kevin Skelly said report cards and regular parent-teacher conferences will give parents the information they need to make sure their children are on track in math. In addition, a survey of parents and teachers probing satisfaction with the new program will be taken in February.
“This is a set of materials that’s had success in some places but not in others,” Board member Barbara Klausner, a former math specialist in the district, said.
“People are going to be watching and want to know what’s going on. Everyone will want to know — not just parents who were not happy, but also the teachers. It’s going to be in their interest to want to know how the kids are doing.
“Informally they’ll be checking in. They’re always checking in. This is a perfect opportunity to look at how the district assesses math in general because parents and teachers want to know.”
Monday’s retreat was the first gathering of the board since June. Members spent the day discussing possible “focus goals” for the upcoming school year.
With a calm financial picture compared to other school districts and a building program well under way, Skelly said he aims to spend more time riding his bicycle among the district’s 17 campuses to visit programs in music, athletics, drama and journalism.
“We’ve got such a rich extracurricular program and that’s where so many of the kids find meaning,” he said, noting the district will launch a boys’ lacrosse program next spring.
Boosting the “socio-emotional health” of students was a major concern of board members Monday.
The community was stunned by the CalTrain suicides of two Gunn High School students last spring and the issue clearly was on board members’ minds.
A variety of approaches, ranging from revamping the “Living Skills” curriculum to holding final exams before winter break, were discussed.
“I feel we need to communicate with parents more. And there’s the general ethos of celebrating kids a little bit more that would be healthier for us, regardless of the suicides,” Skelly said.
The board continues its retreat, moderated by former Vista school superintendent Rene Townsend, today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University Club of Palo Alto, 3277 Miranda Ave.
How do you distinguish the reason why “kids stay on track” ? Kids could stay on track either due to efficiency of school math textbook or due to increased efforts of their parents and math tutors?
Ada….easy question to answer. If the “kids stay on track”, it is because of the great school math textbook and the brillant decision by the school board. If they don’t, it must be because of the parents and the math tutors.
Larry, you should have put a smiley face in the end, some residents might not get the sarcasm/humour.
“Skelly said he aims to spend more time riding his bicycle among the district’s 17 campuses to visit programs in music, athletics, drama and journalism.”
I don’t think people move to Palo Alto for these “extracurricular” programs. I am grateful that we have these wonderful programs, but they should not be the main focus.
What is the point of Mr Skelly’s “riding his bicycle among the district’s 17 campuses to visit programs in music, athletics, drama and journalism” apart from keeping Mr.Skelly in shape?
I hope Mr.Skelly has the courage to abort the unpopular math program, though it could have been much easier to nip it in the bud.
I still fail to comprehend how this new math program got “shoved down out throats” in spite of poor statistics and a massive outcry from parents…
riding his bycicle to visit extracurricular programs which are also heavily supported by parents and where kids are not exactly hurting?
on second thought – Athletics, is it true that only the best athletes get to participate in High School Sports? No B teams?
to me, music, drama, journalism and athletics require talent, and they leave a bunch of kids OUT.
unless the Skelly bycicle visits produce results in reducing the achievement gap, or decrease the dog eat dog culture that stresses everyone out, what’s new?
I’m glad to hear Skelly will continue to visit all the schools! Some prior district officials have ruled from reading reports in their office without getting out to see for themselves what is really happening. He actually goes out to schools and talks directly with staff, teachers and students.
And for some kids, music, athletics, drama, and journalism are THE reason they like school. Middle school sports include all and at the high school level many sports are non-cut sports. Choir, band and orchestra are open to all. By emphasizing these programs, don’t you think Skelly’s helping to broaden the definition of student success and reduce what you call “dog eat dog culture”?
Parent
“By emphasizing these programs, don’t you think Skelly’s helping to broaden the definition of student success and reduce what you call “dog eat dog culture”?
No, I think that basic grammar skills or History, or Science promote less focus on the “I want to grow up and want to be rich and want to be famous…” culture that today is highly associated with music, drama, athletics, and maybe even journalism ( the kind that sells).
Just because it’s music, drama, or athletics, it does not mean it’s not competitive – how many first violins or drummers can you have?’ Open to all but not all fit. Celebrating student success loses it’s point when you are putting the limelight on a few.
While he is riding his bike to see athletic programs though, there is news that the Middle School athletics programs run with the City of Palo Alto are going to be limited, so maybe no volleyball or basketball for dozens of kids next year, is Skelly going to fix that?
Time to sunset Tinsley, or to sue the board members who have consented to continue this drain on our budget.
Tinsley is nothing (esp because by and large those kids qualify for Federal aid so tht money comes to the district)compared to theidiocy of adopting a controversial Cadillac program during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. By Cadillac, I mean a program that is massively expensive, provides designer status, and costs a fortune both to purchase and to maintain. That’s not even mentioning how controversial it is (EDM, not Cadillacs) I just keep shaking my head in disbelief. And now the bond cost has gone up for homeowners too. No more money to the district from me. I’ll donate to my kids’ classrooms and teachers directly. Not getting a tax credit for my donations is no problem compared to paying out of every orifice while the district continues to go insane. I’m glad the committee is happy, cause not many other people are. Skelly’s goal seemed to be to please them above all, and that he accomplished. Tinsley is not the root cause of uneducated children and the widest achievement gap in nearly a decade. Walter, I know it is a big deal to you, but it really doesn’t cost the district that many dollars. We hemmorage money in all sorts of other irresponsible ways. So unnecessary and sad.
Dear Parent ~
I echo your sentiments that for some students the extracurricular activities provide so much meaning and may provide an important anchor to life. Certainly, it need not be mutually exclusive to support the arts and other enriching activities while also supporting solid academics. This can help our children become well-rounded and appreciative of the broader world beyond the textbook.
How about we try to do something positive for our kids and not only give Superintendent Skelly the benefit of doubt but our actual support. Instead of constant and unbalanced criticism, how about volunteering to tutor in the classroom or support the band or do anything other than simply complain?
And further, much gratitude to Dr. Skelly for placing strong focus and effort to support our children and their emotional health, to do whatever we can to help them choose life. May something good follow our sadness. And may dear JP and Sonya rest in peace.
I don’t see what riding around on the bike will do. Mr. Skelley and our board seem to take the echo chamber with them wherever they go.
Thank you to Townsend and Caswell for still caring about the results of Everyday Math. The results of the program need to be tracked for more than a year. The bomb is ticking and doesn’t explode immediately.
“Riding a bike around to visit” doesn’t imply urgency.
And many of the kids who are suffering are not involved with extracurriculars because they are being forced to be slaves to studying instead.
I vote for having final exams before winter break so students can have a real break.