Dear fellow petitioners, I am encouraged to learn last week that the government did take steps in the right direction as per our request to reinstate the standard algorithms (ie. standard methods of calculations, eg. long division, vertical addition/subtraction) into the Alberta math curriculum. So, we went from the algorithms being discouraged prior to our petition to last year, the algorithms being uttered in the front matter of the curriculum as being ok to use, and now it is written into the body of the curriculum, though still left as optional. However, because it is once again in the body of curriculum, I hope this will empower all parents to speak up and expect that the their teachers ensure mastery of the algorithms in our children. And as you recall from the June 2014 changes, our children should no longer be expected to waste too much time on multiple strategies since they're expected to master only one strategy. And that, of course, should be the standard method of calculating, the standard algorithms. Also recall that they reinstated the times table because of us. We are undoing the damage of the discovery math curriculum. My apologies that it has taken so long. The gov't has also added JUMP math as an authorized teaching resource for math as per the recommendations of our mathematicians. So please ensure that your teachers are no longer using the Math Makes Sense textbooks. Although we are nonpartisan, I truly appreciate Mr. Mark Smith, the Wildrose Education Shadow Minister and former teacher, for listening to us and issuing the following statement regarding Inspiring Education: "September 29, 2015 Wildrose launched an important education initiative this month called Standing Up For Students. The initiative put forward positive ideas and solutions to help the government once again make Alberta home to one of the best education systems in the world, provide safe spaces for students to learn and put the interests of parents and families first. Standing Up For Students calls on the province to, • Scrap failed Inspiring Education experiments such as Inquiry Learning, ‘Discovery Math’ and Flex Times and go back to basics in the classroom; • Eliminate mandatory school fees which act as a regressive tax on families; • And put the brakes on limiting and diminishing the importance of standardized testing in the province. The education bureaucracy in Edmonton is taking teaching out of the hands of teachers and imposing fads and experiments in our classrooms. Wildrose believe we need to go back to basics to properly prepare our students with the skills they need to be successful in postsecondary schools and the work force." We will put a stop to this Inspiring Education experimentation on our children. Please continue to write to your the Education Minister/Premier and your MLA. If you have little time, you can just sign the letter template at our website: http://www.albertansforeducation.com/contact-your-mla/ I will also be writing to your school principals with concerns I've heard about the direction of education under his/her direction to transform your school to the Inspiring Education's vision of an inquiry-based system. We are grateful for your support. Kindest regards, Dr. Nhung Tran-Davies mrgranthd@yahoo.ca https://www.facebook.com/Alberta-Math-Petition-715037091853017/timeline/ Here's the recent memo from the Ministry to the teachers: "Dear Colleagues: In June 2014, Alberta Education clarified the expectations of the Alberta Mathematics Kindergarten to Grade 9 (K-9) Program of Studies by updating the program of studies and support documents. The updates clarified the expectation that students are able to recall addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts, as well as multiplication tables, and that they investigate a variety of strategies and become proficient in at least one appropriate and efficient strategy (strategies may include traditional algorithms, such as long division and vertical addition). The clarifications also reinforced that Alberta Education does not prescribe any specific instructional approach; teachers have the flexibility to determine the best instructional approach to help meet their students' needs. Alberta Education is focused on continuous improvement and is using feedback to further refine our K-9 mathematics curriculum. This includes expanded professional learning opportunities for teachers, identifying additional program support resources and reinforcing the basics through provincial assessment. Leading up to the 2015 school year, I want to draw your attention to some new and updated supports and professional learning opportunities to assist you and your staff with the implementation of Alberta's mathematics program. All of these materials will be posted on Alberta Education's mathematics web page in time for teachers to access them prior to September 2015: • The Alberta K–9 Mathematics Achievement Indicators (2015) resource. This resource has been updated to include standard/traditional algorithm achievement indicators in the Grades 2 to 5 number strand. Achievement indicators provide suggested samples of how students may demonstrate their achievement of the learner outcomes in the mathematics program. The Summary of Updates highlights all revisions for easy reference and comparison. • Sample Standard/Traditional Algorithms is the newest fact sheet in our series aimed at supporting teachers in the implementation of the K-9 Mathematics Program of Studies. The fact sheet provides samples of standard/traditional algorithms for all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). • List of Additional Support Resources for the K-9 Mathematics Program of Studies. This list was developed in collaboration with teachers and administrators throughout Alberta to provide further support for the K-9 Mathematics Program of Studies. While the resources on this list are not authorized, they have been reviewed by Alberta Education for Recognizing Diversity and Promoting Respect appropriateness. Curriculum congruency for each resource was provided by publishers and/or external partners. Teachers are encouraged to review the resources to determine how they can support their students' needs. • Video Resources – Alberta Education has developed a new series of high school math videos (English and French) that showcase professionals (engineers, RCMP officers, nurses, bakers, pipe fitters) discussing how the attitudes, skills and knowledge acquired in mathematics are important in their careers. The videos also highlight how the high school math course sequences (-1, -2 and -3) support Alberta students in entering various careers. • Professional Development Opportunities – In the 2015/2016 school year, a series of learning opportunities will be offered across the province through the Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia (ARPDC) to teachers and pre-service teachers. These learning opportunities will provide additional support in the areas of mathematics content, assessment, choices for instructional practice, resources and communicating with parents. They will extend throughout the 2016/2017 school year and beyond. Check the ARPDC Learning Portal or contact your regional consortium for updates and registration. I wish you the best as you start the new school year. Lorna Rosen Deputy Minister of Education"