Schools

Rullan: Support Everyday Mathematics

Administrator says parents will play a big role in the curriculum.

As parents questioned the school district's decision to implement the Everyday Mathematics curriculum on Thursday, one district administrator appealed to the community for support.

Anne Rullan, the district's executive director of curriculum and instruction, said parental involvement is one critical component of the new math curriculum.

"When you change the practices and when you see the results, then you change the belief system," Rullan said. "We anticipate that and we're asking for your support."

Find out what's happening in Three Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

RELATED:

Rullan said the committee formed last year to examine the district's math curriculum recommended Everyday Mathematics because its ultimate goal "really blended very well with the Three Village philosophy."

Find out what's happening in Three Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The common core standards are the minimum and we don’t want to give the minimum," she said. "We want to go above and beyond that."

She invited parents to call her office or send her an email expressing their concerns.

During the presentation, Sue Stewart, a former teacher and mathematics consultant hired to help train Three Village teachers, said there will be resources to help parents understand what's happening in the classrooms with respect to Everyday Mathematics. Resources include an online guide, downloadable math games to reinforce what students have learned, and "math letters" that get sent to each parent when a new math topic is introduced.

At Thursday's meeting, one parent suggested offering a class to teach parents how to use the Everyday Mathematics curriculum at home with their children – and idea to which Rullan said she was receptive.

Another parent said the new curriculum effectively puts parents back in the classroom.

"I see that as a big pressure point in this program," said Jim Owens, a father of three.

At the end of the day, Rullan summed up the new approach to math by saying the district isn't trying to completely overhaul the curriculum.

"Good instructional practices are good instructional practices," she said. "... We really do need your support."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here