New curriculum concerns aired
Parents, educators attend hearing
BY KERRI TESTEMENT
Georgia’s new curriculum — and implementing the latest math concepts in classrooms — is a top concern for local parents, teachers and administrators.
Georgia board of education member Brian Burdette listened to the concerns of a small group of parents, teachers and administrators during a public hearing on Thursday at Jackson County Comprehensive High School.
Burdette represents the 10th Congressional District, which includes Jackson County and 20 other counties in Georgia.
The state is in the process of implementing its new curriculum, the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). The curriculum started being implemented in classrooms during the 2004-2005 school year.
Starting next school year, a new set of math standards will be implemented in the ninth grade. Changes in the high school math curriculum will continue through the 2011-2012 school year for 12th grade students.
Burdette said the Georgia Department of Education’s goal is to get its students more competitive with other students across the country and the world.
“We’ve got a way to go. And the bar has been set high. But we can hit it,” he said.
Several parents expressed concerns that the curriculum isn’t challenging enough for students. Burdette said the GPS sets the minimum standards for students, while local school systems can require a more demanding curriculum.
Dr. Shannon Adams, superintendent for the Jackson County School System, expressed concerns about teachers implementing the new math curriculum in classrooms.
Stephen Pruitt, director of academic standards for the Georgia DOE, said the new math concepts being implemented in the curriculum balances “skill and drill” methods of learning math formulas and “higher-level thinking” skills.
“When you read the research, we’re definitely headed in the right direction,” said Pruitt, who lives in Jackson County.
Dr. Todd McGhee, JCCHS principal, said the rigor of the new curriculum hasn’t been an issue, but its implementation may limit a student’s academic schedule.
Jackson County associate superintendent April Howard said while the school system is implementing the GPS, the state hasn’t provided extra funds for teacher training.
Pruitt said every math teacher in the state will be given a textbook for the new standards and students will be given “coach books” with practice problems for assessments. Online resources will also be available, he added.
Burdette admitted that while the new GPS are tougher, the changes must be made.
“The bar has been raised across the state,” he said.
