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ahbagelxo t1_j7qdvty wrote

Reply to comment by fsdtnxh in 23 Baltimore schools have zero students proficient in math, per state test results by bobbyw24

Yes, a lot of what we teach here in Algebra 1 really aligns more traditionally with Algebra 2 concepts, and Algebra 2 is really the first truly high level math students have access to in high school, so it's no longer practical for the vast majority of students. I truly love teaching math to SWD, but man do I hate how bloated and complex the curriculum is!

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A_P_Dahset t1_j7qh5dr wrote

Thanks so much for the additional context. Adds nuance for those of us without kids and/or working outside of the education sector. That said, do you and other educators who feel similarly about the excessiveness of the curriculum have any means of advocating for streamlining it? Is this an issue that's generally tracking with parents? Lastly, does the Kirwan/Blueprint plan address this issue?

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ahbagelxo t1_j7qmpsc wrote

Excellent questions and I'll do my best to answer.

>do you and other educators who feel similarly about the excessiveness of the curriculum have any means of advocating for streamlining it?

No, not really. Or if there is a way, I'm not aware of it. The district uses a curriculum called Eureka which, like most things in education, is purchased via a contract. We often comment on how difficult and bloated it is, but even our department leads aren't really able to enact change in this regard. I'm not sure how these products get purchased and approved, but if there's public or in-house comment available, we've never been made privy to it.

We just do our best to make our own choices about how to adjust it. I personally have to trim tons of fat, and I have to do it unofficially because there's no way for me to fit it all in without completely killing my students' interest in math.

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>Is this an issue that's generally tracking with parents?

Alas...in my 4 years in the district I have never once talked with a parent who asked about curriculum or how the provided curriculum is taught. I don't get the impression most parents would even know to ask about this sort of thing. Because I work with SWD, I also tend to work with some of the poorest, least equipped parents, and I just think that questions surrounding curriculum rarely rank on the list of primary concerns for their kids.

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>does the Kirwan/Blueprint plan address this issue?

I...don't know. I know I SHOULD be up to date on this stuff, but I'm just not because it's hard to be on the ground and reading about the ground. Something I need to be better about! But as far as I'm aware, I don't believe this is addressed.

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A_P_Dahset t1_j7qos8t wrote

>I'm not sure how these products get purchased and approved, but if there's public or in-house comment available, we've never been made privy to it.

Very interesting. Slightly surprised, but not completely, to hear that input isn't sought from teachers on curriculum selection. Thanks again for these details.

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Cheomesh t1_j7qnnto wrote

>I truly love teaching math to SWD

Keep fighting the good fight, you are a better person than I.

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