KBIA

Columbia Public School Math Program Yet to Change COLUMBIA, MO (KBIA) - The math curriculum for public elementary schools in Columbia isn't changing yet.
The school board voted Thursday morning to postpone approving a document that would outline new grade-level standards. KBIA's Brian Singler reports.

School board member Jan Mees says the math committee needs more time to discuss changes and incorporate public feedback. At issue is both what students are being taught and how they're being taught.

Here, people do care and that says a lot about the caliber of our community but we cannotput the expertise of our educators who are working with our kids every day, too. There has to be a balance."

A group of concerned parents has posted an online petition that says the current experimental math programs emphasize self-discovery over competency. The group says the programs have been discarded elsewhere and should be in Columbia, too.

Roy Knapp has two homeschooled children and signed the petition because he says he believes reports that the current system is failing. He says math is too important for kids to miss.

The enumerate people are at least as important as the illiterate people. People that can't use math are about as disadvantaged as people who can't read.

The proposed changes are part of the normal curriculum review process, that happens every several years. But budget restraints and new online forums for public debate have lengthened the process. Mees says the feedback from public meetings and the Internet have to be synthesized with educators' goals and their need to meet national and state standards.

Were still trying to encompass all of the voices in the community to make the best decisions for what's best for our kids.

Mees says the changes will be up for review and possible approval at the board meeting October 13.
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