Dear friends, I didn't think I would talk to you again so soon, but just wanted to inform you of the latest report from the recent Provincial Achievement Test scores. These grade 6 students are the cohorts who still had the full "new math" curriculum while in grade 3. Because of our advocacy, former Education Minister Johnson reintroduced the times table/basic facts in 2014/15 school year, but of course the uptake was slow due to the resistance from the discovery/new math proponents. 2015/16 Minister Eggen came in and reiterated the importance of the standard algorithms. 2016/17 Minister Eggen introduced the no-calculator section of the PAT exam. (Note: The question from the superintendent regarding "whether the time limit on the no-calculator questions put pressure on students" is invalid because rumours abound that teachers were letting many students (not just learning-disabled) spend half an hour on a section that was supposed to take only 15mins). Today, the test scores confirm that 1/3 of our children are failing basic math skills without calculators since, under the new math, repetitive practice and memorization was discouraged...is anyone surprised that muscles weaken from lack of exercise? http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/no-calculator-math-test-reveals-weak-mental-math-among-alberta-students New school boards have been elected throughout the province, and I trust that they are informed and well-aware of the concerns we have raised over the years. I trust that they will take the lead for the ministry and be more responsive and accountable to the parents and our children. It is especially promising that the Calgary Board of Education has new representatives because the previous board was especially enamoured by the sales pitch from the for profit inquiry-based sales company, the Galileo Network, and other 21st century learning proponents from the UofCalgary Education department. So many millions have gone to waste because the system was built on a weakened curriculum. And millions more will go to waste if Minister Eggen lacks the courage to repeal the 2013 Ministerial Order written by discovery learning ideologists. What an injustice to the well-being, knowledge base, and academic achievement of our children. Thank you friends for being the voices of our children from every corner of the province, and for advocating for our children's right to a good education. Wishing you all the best. Kindest regards, Dr. Nhung Tran-Davies mrgranthd@yahoo.ca https://www.facebook.com/Alberta-Math-Petition-715037091853017/ p.s. Opposition Education Critic Leela Aheer....show us what you can do and have Minister Eggen repeal the 2013 Ministerial Order that called for there to be less emphasis on "knowing something" ie knowledge in school. I as a parent can't sleep at night because of this. One can't think critically without knowledge. Thank you kindly.