Is It Worth It? Challenge # 13

Questions:

Question: Is this worth it?

Response: Yes, if Weber State is willing to spend time and money on community education, they should consider offering math skills courses before offering reading skills reinforcement. Reading skills offerings are plentiful. It is not a matter of which skill is more important but rather, which skills are being neglected.

Question: Am I willing to think (and take action) about this everyday?

Response: Probably not everyday. ☺ Still, I am willing to call and write a letter to Weber State’s Continuing Education Department stating my opinion.

Question: How big of an issue is this?

Response: Declining math skills are a huge issue in the United States. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. students rank consistantly lower in their math scores than students from other industrialized countries.

Question: What don’t I know about this?

Response: Plenty. Still, as a person who previously struggled with math I found that my issues with the subject stemmed more from a lack of exposure and general fear than an inability to grasp the concepts. I want to see my children as well as all children succeed in math.

In watching elementary school teachers give instruction in math, I have been surprised how often the teachers themselves, lack understanding of mathematical concepts. This does not bode well for students. The only way to solve this issue is to offer more math support courses for students and to do so early in their educational lives.

Question: Who can give me more information about this?

Answer: The Community Education and Math Departments at Weber State.

Question: What are the action items that need to be taken.

Answer:

1. Contact the Community Education Department at Weber State about offering children’s math courses for fifth grade – adult. (We can all repeat the same concepts). Perhaps even parent/child math review courses.
2. Talk to the principal at my children’s school about offering after school and summer courses in math, which are available to all interested children.
3. Follow up and offer to volunteer with the program offerings.