A Roadblock in Plan to Boost Math Scores

Re “4th, 8th Grades Still Come Up Short in Math,” Aug. 3:

I teach fourth grade in a large school district. Having noticed the dramatic improvement in fourth-grade SAT9 math scores in a neighboring district, I asked a respected teacher in that district how they accomplished this.

I relayed this action plan to our principal. The problem with our plan arose when the principal took our request for instructional materials to the district level. The response from a district official was “We are happy with our fourth-grade SAT9 math scores and see no reason to change what we are doing.”

Here is part of the problem with public education. We have teachers and principals who notice what works and want to improve their own teaching skills and the skills of their students but are met with resistance and a willingness to settle for mediocrity at the district office level.

Some district officials need to be enlightened. If they’re unwilling to try new methods or even retry older, proven methods, we can’t expect our students’ performances to increase as much as we know they can.

Charmaine Potter

Mission Viejo

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Re “Success = Failure in Today’s School,” Commentary, and “4th, 8th Grades Still Come Up Short in Math,” Aug. 3:

These pieces appeared in the same day’s Times. Ironic, isn’t it?

Is it any wonder that home schooling is increasing exponentially? You do the math.

Every time I hear how wonderful all these home schoolers are doing, my response is always “Then why are teachers and the government continually trying to shut us down?”

Charlene M. Ponzio

La Habra