Thursday night, March 11, the Bellevue School District math adoption committee voted to recommend the adoption of the Holt Algebra/Geometry series. This is a triumph of many dimensions. First and foremost, it will make it possible for all students to master mathematics. This is a highly significant step toward reducing the achievement gap.

Mathematics was rapidly becoming the domain of the elite in Bellevue and elsewhere. Over the past decade, only students with extra tutoring could reasonably expect to learn math well enough to test into better colleges and more demanding degree programs. This was not the fault of students, but rather of the misguided reform math that came onto the scene in Bellevue around 10 years ago.

It was an approach that emerged nationally in the mid 1980s to engage those who would otherwise not be interested in learning math. To appeal to these students, math was turned into a language driven process of reasoning and logic in which students were guided to discover their own approaches to solving mathematical problems. The biggest problem of all was that they weren’t taught the mathematics they need to solve these problems. And because this approach favored group work, many were content to let others solve the problems for them. Levels of math proficiency plummeted.

Now the tide is turning. The Bellevue School District is joining others in a clear step forward toward high quality math. The Holt math series recommended by the adoption committee is clear and direct in its presentation and development of math concepts. It includes discovery learning as part of the process, but does not rely on it to guide students to the ultimate destination. Holt assures that students will master all mathematical processes. It provides clear examples and instruction using explicit visuals. It does not require copious amounts of reading to discern the points needed to solve a problem.

Many thanks to the BSD Math Adoption Committee for all the hours of work and thought that went into the selection process. Most importantly, thanks for the courage to change directions. Many parents feared the bias toward reform math would result in the selection of Discovering. Thankfully we were wrong. Sometimes it’s good to be wrong.

Sharon Peaslee, Bellevue