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Published on 03/16/1998 All articles from this issue

Los Altos schools welcome new state math standards

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By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

Although California's new math standards have sparked long debates over the best way to teach math, local school officials expect Los Altos schools to benefit from them.

Dick Liewer, assistant superintendent of curriculum at the Los Altos School District, described the new standards as "rigorous" and "world class."

"The standards are going to be tough, even for Los Altos students." But he said the K-8 district is "ready with our programs to meet (the new standards)."

He said the district plans to develop committees next year for each grade level to help "define and align" its curriculum with the new standards.

Liewer said he believes the standards will take the guesswork out of what an educator needs to teach - something that could be especially beneficial to the district's many new teachers.

He said although he believes standards will impact schools in a positive way, the state is sending mixed messages to schools.

On one hand, the assessment test will raise standards across the state. On the other hand, the new mandate will require more administration and teacher training, something legislators are trying to cut back, he said.

Briggita Sarraf, associate superintendent of educational services at the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School, doesn't predict much change in the high schools.

"At the high school level, very little will be changed with the curriculum," she said.

Sarraf said the district will continue to struggle with the same issues - encouraging more students to take Algebra One and to complete geometry before graduation.

Members of the California School Board unanimously approved the state's first-ever math standards last January following a heated debate with state superintendent Delaine Eastin, who called the board's decision "a very mediocre set of standards."

The standards outline what students should be able to do at every grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade. They emphasize basic computational skills - addition and subtraction - over problem-solving skills, and disregard the use of calculators. The math standards are just a part of the state's educational reform, which includes new English standards and mandatory assessment tests.

The new curriculum standards are voluntary, but will be reflected in the state's assessment tests that state legislature approved last November.

Sarraf said she is a "firm believer of standards. I welcome any external (assistance) that will help children in our mobile society."

She said today's students move around a lot from school to school and district to district. "If there's a common expectation, they're that much better off," she said.

Sarraf said standards have been around in other countries for many years. "Most studies I've seen have been pretty positive," said Sarraf about the success of standards. She said it is too early to tell exactly how the new standards will impact curriculum, tests and text books.

"We will just have to wait to see what happens down the road," she said.

A panel will recommend to the state school board later this year what California's curriculum should include.