Why Florida Rejected These Math Textbooks
Florida’s State Board of Education will be reviewing and approving new math textbooks this spring after rejecting four that were already on the state’s list.
A summary of the new math standards
The new math standards mean students will have to have a stronger grasp of problem-solving and numbers. Students won’t be asked to memorize formulas for calculating fractions, but instead how to actually solve problems in fractions. When students don’t understand their homework, they can no longer simply repeat it over and over again until they get it right; they now must be able to break down why they answered an equation incorrectly and try a different solution.
Teachers have concerns about the difficulty level
Teachers worry that students won’t be able to understand these textbooks, especially because they’re designed for more advanced high school students. Some teachers have concerns about how complicated it will be to teach material that’s above their own knowledge level.
Some parents are concerned that their kids won’t be prepared for college
The Common Core math standards are already in place in more than 40 states, but lawmakers and educators are still working to make sure students grasp them. In some cases, teachers who aren’t up to speed on Common Core techniques have even received poor reviews for their abilities.
Industry professionals have concerns about a lack of consistency in textbooks
There seems to be a problem with reading levels, Dr. Beth Tortorici, math chairwoman at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, told me. It isn’t just a matter of one level being too easy and another too hard. It varies from book to book.
Rejection of Math Textbooks
As reported by The Gradebook, 12 of 18 math textbooks recently rejected by Florida’s education board were written or published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Two years ago, a coalition called FairTest discovered that over a period of three years, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt donated $345,000 to state educational foundations—foundations that influence state education boards and committees.