Schools

Expert backs math system

By LETITIA STEIN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 17, 2007

TAMPA - An outside expert recommended Tuesday night that Hillsborough stick with the controversial Voyages elementary math program, but also suggested areas for improvement.

More than 20 teachers and administrators lined up for their two-minutes to praise Voyages before the School Board. They rebutted criticism over the years from parents, and concerns raised by teachers in a survey.

This spring, Hillsborough sought outside advice on a curriculum written internally. University of South Florida associate professor Gladis Kersaint said she found room for improvement, no different than with math programs nationally. Many of the Voyages concerns could be addressed through teacher training, she said.

Still, Kersaint did not recommend scrapping the program today, especially with the state phasing in new math standards. Hillsborough is likely to see textbook changes in a few years.

"As a taxpayer, I wouldn't support that," Kersaint said. "You can work with teaching the curriculum as it exists."

A crowd of mathematics teachers and elementary administrators said the program requires students to become problem solvers and to probe mathematical concepts.

"I wish we had Voyages when I was little, because I would have been a better math student than I was," said Diane Grossman, a teacher at Dale Mabry Elementary. "It's hands on. It teaches to all learning styles."

But she acknowledged having a different experience at another school, where she had not received extensive training.

A group of South Tampa mothers, who brought attention to Voyages' shortcomings, remain unconvinced of the arguments of its supporters.

School Board members Jennifer Faliero and April Griffin shared personal struggles with their children over Voyages homework.

Kersaint cautioned that just because math isn't taught the same way that parents learned it, the program isn't a failure.

"You'll find that complaint whenever you use something innovative, that's different from the norm," she said, warning that school officials may want to start preparing for gripes when the new math standards come out.

In other business, board members agreed to seek the technological expertise of outside consultants in drawing the boundary for a middle school opening in northwest Hillsborough. School officials noted that bringing in professionals could help validate decisions in an often contentious process.

The board also approved five charter school applications and denied one.

Fast facts

Appointment

Brent McBrien was named principal of Webb Middle School. He currently is an assistant principal at Leto High.

[Last modified October 17, 2007, 00:22:38]