Last week the web site Truth in American Education, had a lengthy post by J.R. Wilson about the controversy surrounding Wake County Public Schools’ (WCPSS) adoption of Mathematics Vision Project (MVP). Wilson gives some much-needed insight and perspective to the math wars at WCPSS. He also highlights the significance of the lawsuit the creators of MVP math have filed against Blain Dillard, one of the leading opponents of the math curriculum. The lawsuit is clearly aimed at intimidating those who want to question MVP and is intended to suppress dissent. It should be watched closely.
Wilson saves his best for last however, when he asks the questions that needed to be asked. Wilson writes:
It appears Wake County has school choice options. It would be nice if parents/students had a m math program choice: a progressive reform math program or a more traditional explicit example based instructional program. In a district as large as Wake County, that could work. If they say they can’t do this, would it be because they are unable or unwilling? . . . The education system is supposed to work for parents and the community. When will that system start listening to the parent voice? What will have to happen to get that system start listening to the parent voice? What will have to happen to get the system to listen and act based on the parent voice? And parents, are you willing to be part of the parent voice? Are you willing to take back control over your child’s education? Are you willing to be part of the rebellion it will take to regain local control?
Growing parental opposition to MVP math and WCPSS’s reaction tells us much about how administrators and parents view the public schools. Parents and students don’t think they’re being served and it’s time time to explore other options.