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Set higher expectations for all students (26)
Continue to make sure children are challenged, but not overloaded (13)
Give more time and emphasis to math (37)
Create a "math initiative" similar to reading initiative (20)
Ambivalent, mixed opinion, unclear (14)
Set higher expectations for all students:
4 Aligned with world class or California standards
4 More rigorous instruction at all elementary grade levels. Make sure kids have basics including daily drill in basic math facts (could be daily warm-up!)
International standards
3 We must insist to align the math curriculum with the international standards
K I am from a different country where we start pre-algebra and basic trigonometry in Gr. 5. I hope at least they will start to learn them by Gr. 6.
3 Third grader maths are not as advanced as the third grader maths from China. I know a third grader Chinese students are in 5th grader level now. I mean by comparing the student achievement in maths.
3 American students are falling behind. Assign more homework. Be sure to include examples -- so parents can figure it out!
3 Effort to increase (dramatically!) math achievement of all racial/gender/income groups
5 More exposure to a more advanced level of math, to students of average ability
3 With appropriate support from aides, textbook, manipulatives, I believe that at least 50% of the average classes could be learning a more advanced curriculum.
9 Improve curriculum at the 1-6 level so that students can maybe be ready for Algebra I by 8th grade and not just pressuring all students into Algebra at 8th grade, whether they are really ready or not
5 Accelerating the math curriculum throughout G-1 to G-12 to permit calculus as a standard full course by G-12
6 More attention to raising the bar for all students at elementary levels
3 Raise the bar! Kids on all levels can do more than we credit them for. Make math challenging and fun! There are few things more rewarding in school than solving a difficult math problem!
7 Level of instruction challenge for kids in lower (elementary) level. RAISE THE BAR!
6 Higher expectations for all students
K Think we should expect more of every child, not just highly able ones. Kids rise to expectations.
3 Beef up 5th grade. This survey was needed last year!
2 The minimum expectations seem low; should be more challenging -- This could be accomplished with smaller groupings.
3 Third grade is a key milestone. More.
2 More aggressive math curriculum
2 More challenging curriculum with more help in smaller groups
5 More challenging curriculum
8 Raise standards
4 Expectations for students are too low
4 Higher expectations
1 I also believe the math curriculum in kindergarten needs to be re-designed and strengthened to introduce children to concepts (not computation) that are currently not introduced until 1st grade. My experience last year when my son was in kindergarten was that most of the children were well beyond counting to ten and recognizing those numerals, which seemed to be the only math activity presented. I do not mean to suggest that kindergarten children be drilled in rote memorization or given worksheets (nor for that matter should older children), but that math concepts such as one, tens, hundred, geometric shapes, basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, measuring and estimating be introduced through games, the use of manipulatives, building, and other forms of play. This would alleviate the problem of 1st graders who are bored with the first three months of the math curriculum.
Continue to make sure children are challenged, but not overloaded:
5 We're pleased that our child is in a pull-out group for accelerated math with special math teacher. She says she would like more time devoted to math -- 1-1/2 hours vs. 1 hour.
K Seems satisfactory & appropriate for our child at this level
6 Q9: Appropriately difficult. That's how teaching can be targeted to allow all students to achieve appropriately & successfully.
4 Continue to challenge
1 Continue to make sure the children are challenged, but not overloaded
1 It seems well designed to allow children to progress at own ability level. It should continue to do so.
2 I think it is challenging to the student.
4 I have been pleased with the math curriculum. As a G/T student, she is being challenged appropriately with above grade level math.
6 Keep up the good work in allowing kids to advance based on ability!
3 I am very happy that my children can get advanced level math instruction
5 The Center program provides a very appropriate math program.
1 Q6: Yes. We can do optional challenges.
K Q7: It's good
Give more time and emphasis to math:
10 More double period offerings at high school
3 More double math periods --> especially for Algebra
4 Double period math
6 Extra period should be offered to those who need it -- my older daughter had this for Algebra I -- very helpful
4 Longer math period
5 Eliminate non-academic activities (i.e., jump rope for the heart)
4 More academic time, less time for things like career day, etc. Those activities should not take place during math.
6 There is just not enough time devoted to Mathematics. Too much time is spent on arts, crafts, and social studies.
3 We need to stress math as much as we do reading & LA.
2 Please -- more emphasis on math -- we are concerned about the poor results published from Montgomery County high schools this year. We wonder if this was the price for wholly putting emphasis on the Reading Initiative?!
3 More concentration on math rather than reading
1 Spend less time on reading
1 Have the same emphasis on math as for reading since kindergarten
3 Reading has properly been made a priority in the primary school grades. Math, however, has been neglected.
1 We need to emphasize as much on math as we do with the reading. One teacher for 25 students to teach math is not enough in order to make sure all children are at the same level.
2 There is a lot of emphasis placed on reading in the early grades. Math curriculum should be as rigorous also.
4 In general, more emphasis, including more class time and additional instructors are needed to build a solid foundation in mathematics.
3 I believe they need to spend a little more time on the subject
3 More emphasis/time devoted to math
1 Provide more emphasis at early grades
1 More hours of instruction
4 Longer time periods set aside during the day for math
8 More instruction time
5 More time for math periods
4 More time to teach concepts
3 More time on math instruction in elem school,
1 Increase time spent at school in math
1 More concentration on math in the classroom.
1 Daily (or 4/5 days as above) math instruction
1 More focus on math in school.
4 They more time
3 More time in class doing math
2 The 2nd graders all have math for an hour on M-Th. I think this is good as it ensures a certain amount of math instruction every week.
2 More time on instruction
8 More time for students to be with their math teachers
2 More time and focus on math in lower grades
5 More math time
4 More time devoted to the subject, being taught by qualified instructors and more assigned homework and enrichment activities
Create a "math initiative" similar to reading initiative:
1 A math initiative -- similar to reading initiative!
1 There should be a program for math similar to the reading initiative program in the schools now
2 I would like to see a math program in the early grades similar to the reading program that is now in place.
1 Made more like Reading Initiative for elementary schools!
1 Like to see a specialty math program, modeled after the reading initiative
1 It should be as important as the Reading Initiative
1 Concerted effort to make math a priority (similar to what is happening currently with reading/writing in 1st grade -- outstanding results!)
3 I would like to see a Math Initiative program similar in structure to the Reading Initiative where math is taught in smaller groups.
1 The class should be split into smaller groups similar to the reading instruction.
1 Program should be similar to reading initiative -- smaller groups, more specific teacher training; more specific county goals at grade level (i.e., K, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd individual grade goals separate vs. K-3 goals currently in place)
2 MCPS needs an aggressive math program with extra teachers & smaller classes, as MCPS has done with reading initiative program.
4 Children need to be grouped and taught from kindergarten in smaller groups -- similar to the Reading Initiative for 1st & 2nd grade. Both my children have been bored with math for a lot of their school time in 1st & 2nd grade because teachers don't have time to pull out groups of kids that are ahead & to teach them. I think the grouping that starts in our school in 3rd grade should start in 1st grade. In third grade, students move across classes at our school which really helps a lot! In 1st & 2nd grade, it's almost impossible for those teachers to meet the needs of all the different levels of math ability of the students within one class.
2 Like the reading initiative, math instruction should be block scheduled for the entire school. Students should be grouped with same ability students no matter what grade. If my 2nd grader is doing 5th grade work, he could be grouped with 5th graders, under a block schedule.
1 Would like to see groupings by ability as they have in reading at least 2-3 times per week
2 A math program parallel to & similar to the reading initiative program where students move according to their ability
1 Divide classes in ability, like reading groups
2 Specialized instruction for advanced students. Need a "Math Initiative" similar to "Reading Initiative."
3 Finally, I believe that all of the emphasis, rhetoric, "edu-speak," etc. has focused on "Reading Initiative," and now writing in the county at the expense of math goals. The pendulum has swung too far once again.
1 Expanding the time teaching concepts. Having a math period similar to the time given the "Reading Initiative" would be great!
1 Time, material and individual instruction similar to the reading initiative, but, of course, with not as much time per day. Perhaps several blocks per week.
Ambivalent, mixed opinion, unclear:
4 Hope my 4th grader will make it
5 The program could be a little more difficult.
K Q6: Yes. But he seems ready for more advanced study
Q10: Very little work comes home
Q11:Could be challenged a bit more
4 Math needs to be more challenging -- not overly so; Grade levels (standards for) do not seem that high. Homework -- could be more of it.
5 Q6: Yes and No. Sometimes, I think they need to be more challenged.
Q14: To build a good foundation -- not to move on unless all the students feel comfortable with math they were just taught
1 Q6: No. Either too easy, kindergarten level, with drawing and coloring, or requiring thinking skills more appropriate for grade 2 or 3, e.g. hidden problems in a number maze 12x15 matrix.
3 Q6: Yes, most of the time -- but sometimes work seems too advanced to prepare for county tests
2 Q11: Yes. But he could probably move faster.
5 Q7: Difficult to answer -- only this year has math been at an appropriate level.
8 Pacing of instruction
1 As she gets older, I'm sure she'll meet the standards. She is young for her grade level. This is also very new to me (a young child in school) so my opinions as a parent -- I'm sure I want more, quickly than a child normally progresses.
5 Q7: More advanced. Even though satisfied, more challenge is always better.
1 Q11: He probably can go faster
1 Q11: Could go faster -- but instructional level seems normal for 1st grade