HOMEPAGE for this issue: November 9, 2011 //
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GUEST COLUMNISTS:

Bishop Conley: 
"Silence and the liturgy"

Letters to Editor:

On organic math

Regarding “Several Denver Catholic schools implement organic approach to math” (Sept. 28 Denver Catholic Register). Whenever I hear that a “new” math program is in fashion I just sigh and shake my head.  I’ve seen so many math programs come and go, so many heralded as “the one”—the “one size fits all”—only to find in time that the crucial kindergarten to eighth-grade math foundation is so weak and deficient that high schools can’t elevate the math proficiency.   As a result, as many as 40 percent of college freshmen are destined for remedial math courses.  

Of those who do take the remedial math, many will drop out and never complete their education.  I am praying that educators will come to the realization that not all students can learn from the “one size fits all” math.  Hence, it would be sensible and economical for all involved to at least offer a choice between two math programs since so many schools use ability groups anyway.  

My husband and I went up to Calculus IV and Calculus II respectively without calculators or drawing pictures and without fudging the numbers to solve “12 + 7.”  Therefore, the Singapore style wouldn’t have been a good fit for us.  My own kids have had Saxon math and excelled with this logical and methodical math and wouldn’t do well with the Singapore style but others may.  My point though is not to tout Saxon and blast Singapore. To prepare all children for the real world a real-world choice in math is needed and parental involvement is essential for our children’s success in math.

Deana E. Bossio
Castle Rock