November 28, 2006
Governor Christine Gregoire
P.O. Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
Dear Governor Gregoire:
The math is only one of the problems; we still have reading, writing and science. I am still not sure about your intentions. Are you postponing the math graduation requirement because you want to go back to teaching the fundamentals or because you want to ensure that every school district is required to adopt the so-called "fuzzy math" that aligns with Bergeson et al. higher-order thinking requirement? When it comes to exposing the truth about Washington education reform and its alignment to Robert Carkhuff framework, math is the obvious. Bergeson et al. reform has prevented the teaching of fundamentals in all academics.
I am sure that you will find the reading WASL lacks the testing of a student’s ability to comprehend what he or she has read. Students must be able to demonstrate an ability to repeat what has been stated in a reading passage. Being able to repeat does not demonstrate the ability to comprehend. In fact, students who are able to give a clear demonstration of their knowledge and understanding are penalized for not plagiarizing. Aside from the obvious, the readability level of the reading passages on the 10th grade reading WASL are 6th to 9th grade level. The high percentage of students passing the reading WASL merely suggests that Washington public school students can follow directions.
Did the planners and supporters of education reform anticipate the outcome to be a learning environment that supports a limited understanding of the English language (no practice in spelling, grammar or vocabulary), no math fundamentals, limited literary knowledge, “observational” science only, a distorted knowledge of history and the basic belief that there are no right or wrong answers (if you explain your thinking under the conditions defined by the state, your answer is correct regardless of whether logic applies)?
In closing, I would like to applaud you for beginning to take the appropriate action to remediate the dismal outcomes resulting from 13 years of education reform. This praise comes with the belief that you are acting upon your ministerial duties to protect our educational institutions and ensure that our public school students are taught the fundamentals in all academics, not just math. I am sure that you and I can agree that students must have knowledge and understanding to demonstrate application.
Sincerely,
Nancy Vernon
