Many Orinda students seem ready to learn math at a more rapid pace than the common core state standards. I believe that these standards were intended as a floor to low performing states and districts, not as a ceiling to districts like Orinda that have high educational profile in their residential populations.
S
Scott Fleming
12 years ago
We need options for varying math abilities. The math plan presented by Michael Randall, which is posted on the OIS website, stated that Orinda kids would not be able to take calculus in high school, unless "they take two math classes at the same time". The plan was not well conceived, but it is in fact a plan that is worse than described here in the petition statement. San Ramon Valley, Dublin Unified, Pleasanton Unified are all offering diverse middle school options that align with the common core. They have decided that one size does not fit all, and are offering some good choices to their students.
A
Anonymous
12 years ago
Our students should be able to at least take Algebra in 8th Grade.
A
Anna Rodrigues
12 years ago
Getting rid of differentiated math is a mistake. In fact we need better differentiation across all subjects to provide better accommodation for learners of all types.
H
Holger Müller
12 years ago
Featured
As a physicist professor at UC Berkeley, I am concerned that our children should receive a world-class math education that will allow them to excel in science, technology, engineering and math, the fields from which much of our prosperity is derived.
C
Carol Bergren
12 years ago
Educate to the highest level, not the lowest common denominator.
R
Rumplestiltskein Z
12 years ago
OMG!!!!! You mean my child prodigy, who is a prodigy by virtue of being my spawn, may not get into Yale??!!? Nor Harvard? Alll becaues of CC is dumbing down the standards. We can't stand for this! Rise up, everyone!!
E
Eberhard Hummel
12 years ago
we support this petition!
B
Bailey Lee, MD
12 years ago
If no one excels, everyone loses.
B
Bruce & Mary Handler
12 years ago
Godspeed - But proceed with Caution; you may be dealt with duplicitously. Seek unambiguous ON THE RECORD responses from School Board personnel.
G
George
12 years ago
I always took honors math and was hella good at it
C
chester e martine jr
12 years ago
The Common Core math situation reminds me of my roommate Ed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1954. Ed attended high school at Baltimore Poly (BP), taking advanced math beyond calculus, enabling him to sign up for a double major at Rensselaer while the rest of us took 4 semesters of calc and other math. It makes no sense to me to hold back top students via this aspect of Common Core. The result will be more "Eds" entering US colleges from abroad, outpacing our Commoner US children, & then going home with a head start toward enterpreneurship.
D
Deborah Sedberry
12 years ago
I am a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, as well as a parent of 2 kids who went through the Orinda schools. I think Common Core will be a disaster. Why should our kids be teaching each other core concepts rather than the teachers? Orinda students should be able, if desired, to take Calculus AB and BC by graduation. Frankly, there should also be honors English for 9th-11th graders, with AP English for 12th graders. Don't dumb down the standards for Orinda!
A
Anonymous
12 years ago
This is such a travesty. First the city council doesn't listen to the majority of citizens and now the school board. My daughter graduated from the UC system with a double major. One of those majors was Math. Without Honors Math in middles school and then awesome teachers such as Mr. Plant at Miramonte she probably wouldn't have even considered a major in math. I feel like Orinda has been hijacked.
M
mike daugherty
12 years ago
another attempt to stifle excellence and reward mediocrity.
C
Claire Bevis
12 years ago
We want our students
J
Jeff Kingston
12 years ago
Another bad idea from the left: dumb down education. We need to focus more on the best and brightest.
M
Maureen Wilbur
12 years ago
As a former OIS math teacher, I believe in maintaining high standards in the classroom. "One size does not fit all."
D
Dr. Linda Delehunt
12 years ago
I am currently a candidate for Contra Costa County Superintendent 2014 on the June ballot. I am absolutely aligned with the position you are taking regarding adding accelerated math to OIS Common Core standards. As far as I am concerned, if elected as County Superintendent, I will advocate for this to be the Contra Costa County norm.
O
O Sweningsen
12 years ago
Accelerated Math and Science are needed by Orinda high school students to compete in today's world. I believe also believe the school year should be 12 months. Common Core dumbs down our future leaership pool in a very competitive world.
Many Orinda students seem ready to learn math at a more rapid pace than the common core state standards. I believe that these standards were intended as a floor to low performing states and districts, not as a ceiling to districts like Orinda that have high educational profile in their residential populations.
We need options for varying math abilities. The math plan presented by Michael Randall, which is posted on the OIS website, stated that Orinda kids would not be able to take calculus in high school, unless "they take two math classes at the same time". The plan was not well conceived, but it is in fact a plan that is worse than described here in the petition statement. San Ramon Valley, Dublin Unified, Pleasanton Unified are all offering diverse middle school options that align with the common core. They have decided that one size does not fit all, and are offering some good choices to their students.
Our students should be able to at least take Algebra in 8th Grade.
Getting rid of differentiated math is a mistake. In fact we need better differentiation across all subjects to provide better accommodation for learners of all types.
As a physicist professor at UC Berkeley, I am concerned that our children should receive a world-class math education that will allow them to excel in science, technology, engineering and math, the fields from which much of our prosperity is derived.
Educate to the highest level, not the lowest common denominator.
OMG!!!!! You mean my child prodigy, who is a prodigy by virtue of being my spawn, may not get into Yale??!!? Nor Harvard? Alll becaues of CC is dumbing down the standards. We can't stand for this! Rise up, everyone!!
we support this petition!
If no one excels, everyone loses.
Godspeed - But proceed with Caution; you may be dealt with duplicitously. Seek unambiguous ON THE RECORD responses from School Board personnel.
I always took honors math and was hella good at it
The Common Core math situation reminds me of my roommate Ed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1954. Ed attended high school at Baltimore Poly (BP), taking advanced math beyond calculus, enabling him to sign up for a double major at Rensselaer while the rest of us took 4 semesters of calc and other math. It makes no sense to me to hold back top students via this aspect of Common Core. The result will be more "Eds" entering US colleges from abroad, outpacing our Commoner US children, & then going home with a head start toward enterpreneurship.
I am a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, as well as a parent of 2 kids who went through the Orinda schools. I think Common Core will be a disaster. Why should our kids be teaching each other core concepts rather than the teachers? Orinda students should be able, if desired, to take Calculus AB and BC by graduation. Frankly, there should also be honors English for 9th-11th graders, with AP English for 12th graders. Don't dumb down the standards for Orinda!
This is such a travesty. First the city council doesn't listen to the majority of citizens and now the school board. My daughter graduated from the UC system with a double major. One of those majors was Math. Without Honors Math in middles school and then awesome teachers such as Mr. Plant at Miramonte she probably wouldn't have even considered a major in math. I feel like Orinda has been hijacked.
another attempt to stifle excellence and reward mediocrity.
We want our students
Another bad idea from the left: dumb down education. We need to focus more on the best and brightest.
As a former OIS math teacher, I believe in maintaining high standards in the classroom. "One size does not fit all."
I am currently a candidate for Contra Costa County Superintendent 2014 on the June ballot. I am absolutely aligned with the position you are taking regarding adding accelerated math to OIS Common Core standards. As far as I am concerned, if elected as County Superintendent, I will advocate for this to be the Contra Costa County norm.
Accelerated Math and Science are needed by Orinda high school students to compete in today's world. I believe also believe the school year should be 12 months. Common Core dumbs down our future leaership pool in a very competitive world.