New Math Program Begins this Fall at CCS
by Nancy Wood,
August 26, 2010, page 1.....

The CCS School Board voted on July 20 to phase in a new math program this fall. Rather than spend another year researching options, CCS will replace Everyday Math with Bridges in Mathematics, the same program other elementary schools in the Chittenden South Supervisory Union (CSSU) – Hinesburg, Shelburne and Williston – have chosen to start now.

Grades 1-2 will begin using the program this fall and grades 3-5 in 2011-2012.

CCS is also purchasing Fast Math, a computation practice program to supplement the other programs.

According to the Math Learning Center website, Bridges was “developed with initial support from the National Science Foundation and offers a unique blend of problem solving and skill building in a clearly articulated program that moves through each grade level with common models, teaching strategies, and objectives.” Comments by teachers on another website indicated that its success depends on scheduling a full 90 minutes per day for math instruction.

Among the strengths of the Bridges program (cited in a PowerPoint presentation at the July 20 board meeting) are that it meets criteria from standards and current research, it is a mile deep rather than a mile wide, student discourse and inquiry are encouraged, pre-algebra is strong, and it provides math engagement for all kinds of learners.

The only new money needed this year to implement Bridges is $6,303 to be provided by a grant through CSSU. The balance is already in the budget for what was anticipated to be ongoing Everyday Math expense. Training and pilot materials are available at no new charge from CSSU. The cost during the second year of implementation will depend on math class configuration and enrollment.

Lynne Jaunich, CCS board chair, said that “it made sense to implement Bridges this year versus next, as well as in stages versus all at once. If we did not implement this year, we would be on our own for the (teacher) training (which is $2,300/day) as well as the purchasing of pilot kits. We likely would have had a difficult time finding that money given the challenges we will face with the FY12 budget.” 

Jaunich and Kristin Wright were the two school board representatives on a Math Strategies Committee that met twice to develop the recommendation to the board. Other members included co-principal Greg Marino, Edorah Frazer, Ena Jesset, Kristine Gerson, Mike Cazayoux, Nancy Pollack, Pam Piper, Patrice Machavern, Rosemary Raszka, Stephanie Barton, Tom Scatchard and Molly McClaskey.
Mike Cazayoux was one of the Charlotte Parents for Math Excellence working group that wrote a Commentary entitled “We Need to Improve Math Education at CCS” (The Charlotte News, November 19, 2009). He said that he had hoped the Math Strategies Committee would dig into and review all programs and assess how well they met various standards, but there wasn’t enough time to do that. On a positive note, he said he was given the opportunity to present his concerns and that agreement was reached in several important areas: there will be accountability, consistency of teaching within grade level, and professional development of teachers through the Vermont Math Institute.