To: School District of the Chathams
Chatham K-5 Math Program
Are your children struggling with the math program in grades K-5? We are interested in improving the math curriculum and communication with parents.
Why is this important?
A group of Chatham Public School parents are concerned that the K-5 math program is in need of improvement. We feel that the program is not working for many of our children.
We are starting this petition because we feel this program is doing our children a disservice. These are our key areas of concern:
1) There is insufficient mastery of basic math facts due to the overemphasis on higher-level problem solving.
2) Language-based math presents difficulty for children that have not yet mastered reading. This can intimidate and discourage a student that might otherwise be a strong math performer.
3) The math homework is confusing and poorly worded. This forces children to ask for help and creates a sense of dependency.
4) Communication regarding curriculum is insufficient.
5) Supplementation of the curriculum is inconsistent between classes and grades. Some students are getting basic math fact reinforcement while others do not.
6) Too many parents are having to seek outside help via Mathnasium, private tutors, or trying to instruct their children themselves.
If you share these concerns, we ask that you support our request for the School District to review and strengthen the program.
We are starting this petition because we feel this program is doing our children a disservice. These are our key areas of concern:
1) There is insufficient mastery of basic math facts due to the overemphasis on higher-level problem solving.
2) Language-based math presents difficulty for children that have not yet mastered reading. This can intimidate and discourage a student that might otherwise be a strong math performer.
3) The math homework is confusing and poorly worded. This forces children to ask for help and creates a sense of dependency.
4) Communication regarding curriculum is insufficient.
5) Supplementation of the curriculum is inconsistent between classes and grades. Some students are getting basic math fact reinforcement while others do not.
6) Too many parents are having to seek outside help via Mathnasium, private tutors, or trying to instruct their children themselves.
If you share these concerns, we ask that you support our request for the School District to review and strengthen the program.