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Brentwood Press - AntiochPress_05.02.08 - Index

MAY 2, 2008 EDUCATION THEPRESS.NET | 13A
Algebra I does not equal Algebra II
by Dave Roberts
Staff Writer
A couple of math teachers are concerned
that something doesn’t add up in the
Antioch Unifi ed School District’s decision
to use two different teaching methods for
students learning algebra.
Last week the school board agreed to
use a book focused on problem solving for
middle school students learning Algebra
I. But high school students will use an Algebra
II book by a different publisher that
integrates real-world applications with the
problem solving.
Two math teachers argued at the April
23 board meeting that the district should
stick with publisher Prentice Hall for both
Algebra I and II rather than using an Alge-
art from a Belgian painter, a sod house in
Nebraska and the Universal Product Code.
Antioch High School math teacher
Katrina Wellington also urged the school
board to not adopt the Key Curriculum
book for Algebra II, arguing that it could
hurt students’ performance on state-mandated
math tests.
“Our students are being increasingly
aware of how standards are emphasized in
state tests. These things matter,” she said.
“There is more buy-in from the students
when they can see how concepts are based
on standards. Prentice Hall books have state
standards, test examples. Six chapters (of
the Key Curriculum book) do not contain
curriculum based on California state standards.
Our students need consistency, clarity
and accessibility from our textbooks.”
The school board
chose to use this
book to teach
Algebra II to high
school students,
despite concerns
from two teachers
that it’s incompatible
with the book
used for Algebra I.
Another teacher,
however, prefers its
real-world approach,
which shows how to
apply concepts rather
than merely solve
problems.
bra I book by Prentice Hall and “Discover-
But Jeff Meeks, who will be teaching
Advanced Algebra – An Investigative ing math at Dozier-Libbey Medical High
Approach,” an Algebra II book by Key School when it opens in August, argued in ing to get the insurance that it’s not going classroom at the same time,” she said. “It
Curriculum Press.
favor of the Key Curriculum book.
to hit spring break and it’s, ‘Oh my gosh, won’t happen right way. It can get messy,
“This situation is unusual. To use two
“Matrices are great if you know what I still have 27 chapters to teach’?” asked but it’s all starting to come together.”
series that are so different in philosophy in to do with them,” he said, adding that the Smith. “When I say (to my children), ‘How
Board member Gary Agopian said
Algebra I and II is questionable,” said Har- Prentice Hall book has “a lot to do with did you do on your math testing?’ they say, that educators need to start early when it
old Ney, who has taught math at several computation but little to do with applica- ‘I did OK until I got to the part we haven’t comes to teaching math. He was recently in
high schools for more than 23 years. “The tion. We wanted to … be able to use math- covered yet.’”
a classroom of 30 students whom he asked
Prentice Hall algebra series provides math ematics in a relevant way. We would like
Genell Marshall, the task force facilita- to quickly calculate a percentage – and not
concepts in a traditional fashion. Key Cur- students going to college knowing what to tor for the math book adoption, responded one of them could do it.
riculum is from the discovery approach. do with mathematics.”
that administrators are checking in on class-
“That’s a basic skill that at that level
That’s the core debate which has been run-
The board members unanimously rooms and improving statistical analysis to you should already have mastered before
ning through the mathematics teaching agreed to go with the Key Curriculum ensure that math teachers keep on track. thinking of getting into algebra,” he said.
community for many years.”
book, but board member Claire Smith is
“We are upping the accountability “They have to have the basic skills at the
Ney cited examples from the Key Cur- concerned about teachers and students fall- and assuring teachers are working together lower grade levels. That’s where the battle is
riculum chapter on matrices in which he ing behind on what they need to cover for teaching the same subjects, so that we can won or lost.”
“found extraneous material that had noth- the state tests.
go into one algebra classroom and see the
To comment on this story, visit www.
ing to do with matrices,” such as photos of
“Where and how are the parents go- same thing happening in the other algebra thepress.net.
Byron Airport jet center expansion takes off
by Ruth Roberts
Staff Writer
The fi rst phase of a $7 million jet center
expansion project took fl ight last week
with a groundbreaking ceremony at the
Byron Airport.
Supervisor Mary Piepho, a longtime
proponent of the airport extension, welcomed
county and local offi cials to the
event, praising the cooperative efforts of
many in making the expansion a reality.
“We’re at the end of the cul-de-sac
of East County and we have a lot to offer,”
said Piepho. “The Byron Airport is a
diamond in the rough, and it’s been a real
partnership to make this all happen. Congratulations
to everyone.”
Phase One, at an estimated $5 million
price tag, will include four 100x100-foot
aircraft hangers with offi ce space attached,
and two 80x80-foot hangers, also with
compatible offi ce availability. This fi rst
phase has been paid for by private devel-
opers, who will lease the land and retain responsibility
for upkeep and maintenance.
Construction is planned to begin in the
next few months and be completed later
this year.
Phase Two includes the construction
of four 100x100-foot hangers and is expected
to cost approximately $2 million.
Construction will begin shortly after the
completion of Phase One.
Despite a downturn in the economy
and skyrocketing fuel prices, the new con-
struction is the fi rst upgrade for countyowned
Byron Airport in nearly 10 years,
said Keith Freitas, director of airports for
the Byron Airport. And this time around,
added Freitas, the emphasis is on the corporate
customer.
“It’s been amazing. Since 9/11, aviation
has continued to be strong, and actually
sparked an aviation boom,” said
Freitas. “The growth of Oakland and San
see Airport page 29A