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School District 48 Needs a Math Lesson

David Gregr
February 11, 2021 12:37pm

School District 48 is in the process of adopting an operational policy which prohibits schools from offering “streamed courses” which they believe limits a student’s post-secondary opportunities (ie: going to university) .  Currently for students entering grade 10 there are two ministry designed and approved course options for students: Workplace Math 10 and Foundations & Pre-Calculus Mathematics 10.

When these courses were first implemented, they were offered as different pathways and deliberately not referred to as streams.  Adopting this operational policy would remove the option for students to select Workplace Math 10 and require all students to take the Foundations and Pre-Calculus pathway.

As a math teacher I see many students who have been traumatized to some degree by mathematics. I see parents, adults and even some teachers who have had a negative experience with mathematics and are quick to respond with: “I hate math” or “I never got math” or “I don’t have a math brain”.

My job involves sharing with students the value of being numerate and breaking down their negative experiences and societal stigmas towards mathematics.  The Workplace Math 10 course is intended to provide exposure to real world math applications. The two available options are different enough in content to warrant taking multiple math courses and they are designed intentionally to provide skills to students entering the workforce, pursuing trades, or entering college programs after high school.

These Workplace classes traditionally have a higher percentage of at-risk students because it serves the need to provide a supportive environment while breaking down math anxiety and stigma. If the intent of the decision to remove Workplace 10 is to improve student success, to be inclusive of all learning abilities and to provide viable post-secondary options, then I believe that those making the decision may be confused as to what this course offers our most vulnerable students.

Simply showing up in class is an accomplishment for some. The Workplace classes are a safe place for students to overcome the stigma of not only mathematics, but education. Workplace Math is essential in building confidence and providing some opportunity of success.  I fear that if we take this option away from our children who already identify mathematics as a source of anxiety and despair, then they will be the ones who suffer the most.

I am concerned that this decision is being made without any meaningful consultation. It would seem advantageous to have mathematics educators involved in conversations regarding mathematics education in the District. With purposeful communication, we could design a solution that could address the needs of our students and would not involve eliminating a valuable course.

I encourage you to write to SD 48 trustees about this issue.

David Gregr is a senior math teacher at Howe Sound Secondary.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. carol parsons says

    February 11, 2021 at 8:27 pm

    It is extremely important that they continue to provide this course. Not all kids are going on to University. We need to prepare our kids for the real world.

    • Jared Sartee says

      February 12, 2021 at 9:27 am

      Does the author agree that offering two math classes effectively limits student’s opportunities to achieve a post-secondary education?

      It seems like the fundamental question is if children are effectively being “streamed” out of future opportunities with the offer or two classes.

      As a parent I would absolutely oppose the premature limiting of opportunities for my children so early in their life, especially if the decision is not in my own hands but at the hands of our school administrators instead.

  2. Margo says

    February 13, 2021 at 12:25 pm

    The part that bothers me the most is the author’s statement that the district is making this decision with out meaningful consultation to the math educators in the district. I’ve heard this time again that the teachers teaching the subjects and in the classes day in day out with the students are either not consulted or not listened to if their opinions go against what the district wants to implement.

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