Math Standards Stress Basics

Re “State Endorses Back-to-Basics Math Standards,” Dec. 2:

Another go-round with state educational standards? I am dismayed at the combative nature of these “discussions” about language arts and mathematics. Basic knowledge of math and language arts as they were taught “before” is one part of the needed curriculum. But we have much to be grateful for from geniuses like Jean Piaget and others, who have helped us to understand how children learn and maintain their knowledge.

My students learn how to do long division in the old-fashioned way. But you should see their eyes when they discover why the method works. They are learning that “because the teacher said so” is not an explanation for why something works that will help them when they face a more difficult problem.

I sympathize with those who are trying to sort out the mess that is our state educational system. I sincerely hope that we can come to a process that makes use of the knowledge we have about how children learn and leaves behind emotional displays and rhetoric.

WENDY ZACUTO

Los Angeles

* I run a medium-size retail business and we hire quite a few part-time students from one of the local colleges. For more than 20 years we have included a very easy math test as part of our employment application. Examples of the questions are: adding four double-digit numbers, figuring what one-third of 96 is, 10% of 1100, and reducing 75 by 20%. Not exactly tough stuff, but math that I feel is necessary for individuals who are going to handle cash transactions in our business.

When we started these tests, the comments from the students indicated that it was not much of a test. Now, a few years later, the students usually ask if they can take the test home, or if they can use a calculator. The majority of those applying for a job, which pays quite well, I may add, fail the test. Only about 20% get all eight questions right. This is a sad commentary on the realities of our public instruction system.

BOB BERGSTROM

Woodland Hills