Say No to Core Curriculum Naysayers

Detroit News - Monday, June 2, 2008
Amber Arellano
Say no to core curriculum naysayers
The naysayers are having their turn.
"Not everyone can learn algebra skills," they say. "Not everyone should have to."
Don't let them fool you.
When the Michigan Legislature passed the state's heralded high school curriculum to prepare every Michigan child to compete in the global economy, everyone knew it was going to be challenging. The idea that all students must and can learn tough math skills challenges notions of class and what it takes to get a good job.
Now the expected backlash is beginning. Led by educators, the naysayers are fighting fiercely to get rid of mandatory algebra and geometry classes that are the core of the new curriculum. Already wimpy legislators are caving, debating whether and how to cut the math requirements, despite research that shows that young adults who train in high-level math skills actually earn higher wages -- even if they don't go to college.
So what gives? Why would educators and parents argue to stop children from taking classes that will help them earn more money; help them go to college or get a half-way decent job; and make them sharper thinkers?
Their main arguments are based on fear. They warn that students won't be able to master Algebra 1, much less geometry and Algebra 2. They warn such students will drop out, even though research overwhelmingly shows that more academic rigor decreases school dropout rates. (Boredom is among the top reasons for dropping out.)
What the adults don't say is, "Maybe the kids can do it, but we don't believe they can. And we don't want to change." Maybe that's what they should say.
They should take a tour of Wyandotte High School, where the teenagers are proving them wrong.
Innovative schools
Gov. Jennifer Granholm and education leaders gave schools time to prepare for this change. They knew that schools would have to come up with different approaches to teach math and new supports such as tutoring.
Wyandotte embraced the opportunity. Its leaders innovated with new class structures and approaches to teaching algebra.
The result: 93 percent of their students are succeeding in algebra, compared with the traditional rate of 80 percent. And they're just getting started!
Unfortunately, Wyandotte is the exception. Most schools appear not to have revamped their math classes, at least so far, says Jim Ballard, executive director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, which has been interviewing schools about their attempts (or lack thereof) to integrate the curriculum.
"When educators say, 'These kids are failing,' it's like, what did you expect?" Ballard says. "We're not doing anything differently.
"We as educators can't say, 'We're going back to the old way.' We're not going back. We need to change."
Indeed, our teenagers are already far behind other states and many countries' student achievement, especially in math. Even teens who aren't headed to college need math for many trade and technical schools and jobs.
Business leaders say there is no difference today between what it means to be college- and workplace-ready.
Jumping in
There is a legitimate debate to be had, though. Once a school is clearly providing high-quality math teaching, then what does it do for the handful of teenagers who do not pass all of the graduation requirements such as Algebra 2?
We should beware of creating an inferior diploma that tracks students to low-wage jobs. Today a high school diploma tells employers and colleges that a student is ready for the next step in life. If students have something less than that, it could be a deterrent to completing high school. After all, why finish high school if all you're going to get is an inferior certificate? You can get that by dropping out.
Above all, Michigan needs to stay on the path to academic rigor. The state has really just begun to touch its little toe into its waters.
If the water's cold, students will adapt, as young people do. The adults, well, they may need more time. Sometimes they need a push, too, from someone who knows the joys of jumping in.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080602/OPINION03/806...
Amber Arellano is a Detroit News editorial writer who writes a weekly Monday online column about cultural and political change. Reach her at aarellano@detnews.com.