Dear Anne Arundel County Public Schools Math Board,

We, the concerned parents, students, and teachers of Central Middle School, urge you to reconsider the use of I-Ready for homework assignments in our schools. We believe that this online program is irrelevant to the current curriculum and fails to engage students effectively. It is time to prioritize meaningful learning experiences over monotonous tasks.

I-Ready claims to provide personalized instruction and assessment tools; however, its effectiveness has been widely questioned. According to a study conducted by the Center for Digital Education (CDE), many educators find I-Ready's content misaligned with their curriculum goals. This misalignment not only wastes valuable instructional time but also hinders students' progress towards mastering essential skills.

Furthermore, numerous teachers have reported that I-Ready assignments lack creativity and fail to engage students' interests. The repetitive nature of these tasks can lead to boredom and disengagement from learning altogether. As stated by renowned education psychologist Dr. Howard Gardner, "Students learn best when they are actively involved in their own learning process." It is crucial that we foster a love for learning rather than subjecting our children to mindless exercises.

Moreover, research conducted by Stanford University's Graduate School of Education found that excessive screen time can negatively impact cognitive development in children. By relying heavily on an online platform like I-Ready for homework assignments, we risk further exacerbating this issue.

Instead of burdening our children with tedious online drills after school hours, we propose allocating more time for hands-on activities or project-based assignments that encourage critical thinking skills and foster creativity. These types of activities have been proven effective in enhancing student engagement while promoting deeper understanding of concepts.

By signing this petition today, we call upon Anne Arundel County Public Schools to:

1) Immediately cease assigning homework through the I-Ready platform.
2) Conduct a thorough review of the alignment between I-Ready and our curriculum goals.
3) Explore alternative methods of homework that promote creativity, critical thinking, and active learning.

Together, let's prioritize the educational well-being of our students and provide them with meaningful learning experiences. Help us ensure that every child in Edgewater, MD receives an education that inspires them to become lifelong learners.

Sincerely,

John Storer