Editorial cartoon ‘uninformed’
Where's the story?2 Points Mentioned
What math did you take in ninth grade?
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, was identified as a GATE student, and the math class we “smart” kids took in ninth grade was algebra.
Algebra was eventually offered for “honors” students in eighth grade, and students that took it received high school credit and it was listed on their high school transcript.
The 2002-03 school year was the last year high school credit was given for eighth-grade algebra in the Conejo Valley as the “new” standards were put into place: the standards that moved algebra from ninth grade to eighth grade in California.
All eighth-grade students were expected to take, and pass, algebra—and if they were not enrolled in algebra their schools were “punished” by the state, which lowered the ranking of the school.
So the schools put as many students in algebra as possible. Many students did fine, but many did not. In order to teach algebra in eighth grade, everything that had been taught was pushed down to lower grades, and the result was we taught the shortcuts—quick ways to get to the answers—and stopped teaching students how to think, reason, justify and ask themselves, “Does this answer make sense?”
The Common Core state standards have been adopted by 45 states, and the majority of the other five had already revamped their standards so they are quite similar to the CCSS.
What does this mean for our kids?
It means we are able to slow things down a little and teach our students to think again. To reason, justify and ask themselves, “Does this answer make sense?”
The cartoon about the Common Core in the Acorn May 1 was inaccurate and uninformed.
As a middle school math teacher, an algebra teacher, I can tell you that 2 + 2 = 4, and it’s not turning into a confusing mess due to the new standards. Debbie Boden Thousand Oaks
Going gray gracefully
Find nearby storiesNews Bayou
There is so much truth in the article written by Stephanie Bertholdo in the May 2 Acorncommentary on hair-color bias, and I can completely relate to it.
Thank you, Stephanie, for reiterating what so many women over 50 are facing with their graying hair. You mirrored my exact feelings that it is a “matter of perception” if gray hair makes you look older.
I have been on the fence about whether I should once again weave color into my naturally graying hair. Since my retirement, I just don’t see the need to spend that extra money each month for color upkeep.
Yes, I am absolutely worth it, but my hair is graying quite graciously with a natural “weave” look, and I actually receive a multitude of compliments on it.
I have not done any color adjustment for five years, and your article has helped me to justify continuing with my decision.
Yes, I’d probably look younger if I kept my former brunette hair.
But going over that 60 “hump” this year, I am satisfied to leave well enough alone and want to thank you for publishing your commentary to back my decision. Jane McIntyre Simi Valley
Mass transit the way to go
Find nearby storiesNews Bayou
We want to thank the Flying Squirrel for his advice (March 27) on taking a trip to the California Science Center.
We followed his exact route on April 18: Orange Line to Red Line to Silver. Then the three of us had a full day at the museum, which included the Endeavour, IMAX theater and all the rest.
Coming back on public transportation during rush hour (on a Friday on a holiday weekend) was so easy for us and interesting for our son. Steve Crane Thousand Oaks
Luskin deserves MC presidency
Where's the story?3 Points Mentioned
Ventura County Community College District announced recently that it will extend the Moorpark College president search into the summer of 2014 to seek additional candidates for the position.
This is welcome news and a step in the right direction to achieve due process, fairness and objectivity.
We were disappointed that Bernard Luskin was not one of the four finalists during the first search.
We hope the search reopening will rectify this in light of his outstanding record as interim president of Moorpark over the past eight months.
The VCCCD and Moorpark College would benefit greatly if Luskin is one of the finalists and then chosen as permanent president.
As an educator, he has been president of Orange Coast Collegeand founding president of Coastline Community College, where he first put KOCE-TV on the air. It is now the Southern California PBS station.
In addition to education, Luskin has been involved in commerce, entertainment and psychology. To get the complete story on his accomplishments go to Google and type in the name Bernard Luskin. Alex and Sylvia Sullivan Thousand Oaks
Alex is a retired reporter for KNX 1070 News Radio, and Sylvia is a retired professor and current member of theMoorpark College Foundation.
Private words, public fallout
Find nearby storiesNews Bayou
Regarding Donald Sterling: Will Americans ever stop these witch hunts? We seem to have them on a regular basis now.
Does it matter that we side with an adulterer who publicly revealed a private conversation to attack another adulterer? Does it matter that the NAACP was about to adorn someone who is now revealed and reviled as a “racist” with an award? Shouldn’t the NAACP beg their members for forgiveness instead of acting like a judge? Who gets that award now? Who wants it?
Words only have the weight the listener allows them to have. In thought and in word we must remain free or we risk losing liberty as a whole. Words tell me nothing about actions. Just like my words here tell you, the reader, nothing about the actions of the writer.
Twenty-seven years ago I met the most foul-mouthed racist ever, or so I thought. I had to work with him and had no choice but to get to know him by his deeds.
To my surprise his treatment of others was good, unlike his speech. I learned that words matter far less than actions. Yes, we should all be sensitive, and children must be protected.
I’ve been involved in many newsworthy events and, knowing how inaccurate our “news” usually is, I can say this with confidence. None of us can accurately judge a person’s life based on reports. I can’t truly know someone by watching TV.
If we’re guilty for our thoughts and, by extension, our words in the court of public opinion, to the degree the outrage becomes punishment, where does that end? With you maybe, with me? How about your children?
At one time private words and actions were not judged in the same way as their public equivalents. If the line between public and private is erased, we all need to understand that none us will be safe.
Do you want the kind of America where you are not free to think or speak? Timothy J. Bond Thousand Oaks
No comments:
Post a Comment