Dear fellow petitioners, With you and many teachers, mathematicians and journalists on our side, we have made great gains in our efforts toward re-establishing quality education for our children. I have debated whether to close this petition now that both Jeff Johnson and Greg Bass have been moved out of the Education Ministry. However, knowing that there is still much to be done, I am choosing to leave the petition open for our voices to be heard, as a reminder to the new ministry that they are accountable to the children, parents and teachers. I am so grateful to each and everyone of you for being on this journey with me. http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2014/09/19/greg-bass-architect-of-alberta-educations-discovery-education-agenda-moves-on-from-alberta-education/ I know I was hard on Johnson but I do feel that we did the right thing to be heard and respected by the gov't/ministry. In the end, I know Johnson did the best he knew how and when he knew better, he did better. Johnson's legacy would be that he did finally listen (albeit incompletely) and allowed for critical changes that would undermine the discovery-based ideology. If I may summarize again what these changes are in math in case your teachers have not been informed of such: -- The children are permitted to learn and use ONE strategy for solving math problems, i.e. they don't need to waste time on multiple strategies. -- That strategy can be the traditional/conventional method, so the "old way" is not the wrong way. -- All students should be taught the standard algorithms (long division/multiplication, vertical addition/subtractions) even though the curriculum leaves it as optional. I trust the teachers will practice evidence-based teaching and expect all our children learn the standard operations to the level of mastery. -- All students are expected to know and memorize the times table (I'm still in disbelief that it was previously discouraged). -- All students are expected to master basic number facts. -- Memorization is permitted (they should no longer argue that memorization is at the expense of understanding). -- Drills and practice are encouraged (note the evidence from MRI studies). -- Teachers are supposedly allowed to choose any resources, despite only two textbook publishers being listed on the ministry-approved list. So, do encourage the JUMP math/Singapore/Saxon math be taught instead. Hopefully, Gordon Dirks is not as obstinate as the last. There are still some unresolved issues to be discussed. I'll keep you posted Warmest regards, Dr. Nhung Tran-Davies