One of the issues driving the initiative to provide a forum for parents and students who are concerned about academics in Northampton Public Schools is the elimination of honors math options in seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grades over the last few years.
To align with common core standards, the math departments at Northampton High School and JFK Middle School worked together to select a new math curriculum. The new curriculum replaces Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 with three Integrated Math classes. The elimination of honors-level math was presented as part and parcel of this curriculum, but to me and other parents, they are separate issues.
Parents and students voiced concerns at a School Committee meeting in March 2014. In April 2015, a concerned group of parents organized a public meeting with school administrators. The administrators’ response to parent and student concerns was that teachers will “differentiate” instruction so that students working at different levels can each work at their level of challenge in the same class.
Parents have concerns about differentiated instruction. Administrators have not been open to these concerns at the meetings. The suggestion in the recent Gazette article for parents to take concerns about academic challenge to their kids’ teachers is off the mark.
The concerns are not about the teachers, but about the structure in which they must now teach. It is disheartening that the administration is not open to working with parents and students who are concerned about academic excellence in Northampton schools.
I expect there are lessons to be learned on both sides if they would.
Sheila Murphy
Florence