Really good website with lots of information about their schools and curriculum...haven't found such a site for RSU1, does it exist? Would like to see the EDM (Every Day Math) survey offered to RSU1 families.
EDM has received mixed reviews from parents and teachers in RSU1. The EDM program text was rated the "worst" nationally but some of our elementary teachers feel that rating is unfair. Does the RSU have any data on the success of the EDM-taught student performance at the high school math (Algebra I, II, Geometry and Calculus) level?
This is what I found in regard to EDM being "researched based."
ReplyDelete"The Department of Education's "What Works Clearinghouse" which evaluates research on the various math programs, reviewed 61 Everyday Math studies. The findings: Of those 61 studies, none met evidence standards, 4 met evidence standards with reservations and 57 did not meet evidence screens. Of the remaining four, the WWC found Everyday Mathematics to have potentially positive effects on math achievement based on one study alone: the 2001 Riordan & Noyce study. Just so everyone is on the same page, Pendred Noyce has formed associations with several reform math initiatives, at least one dedicated to implementation of Everyday Math: COMAP, for which she serves on the Board of Directors. What Works Clearinghouse failed to disclose the information. The bottom line is that we have an allowable sample size of just one, from what range of data? And this allows them to make any conclusion?"
The above refers to the first evaluation of EDM. School district use "What Works Clearinghouse" evaluations without questioning them. To really understand how EDM got into so many districts in Maine, one needs to realy "follow the money." The Maine Math & Science Alliance went around to districts in Maine and offered Grant $ only if districts chose programs like TERC, EDM or Investigarions. If they choose a traditional math program, they received no grant $. The National Science Foundation said that these programs were the best in their studies, but they failed to tell districts that they ONLY reviewed textbooks that THEY funded.
It's all about $$$. Once the districts agree to the grant $, they are committed to purchasing a consumable textbook (books must be purchased over an over again each year).
The truth is that Maine's largest demographic is now 38th or 39th in Math compared to other states. How did our largest demographic rank before the Maine Math & Science Alliance started pushing textbooks funded by the National Science Foundation funded around the state?