Lawmaker gives Alpine math an F

Alpine School District's controversial math programs are in the cross hairs of a Capitol Hill big gun.

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, is targeting the programs with proposed budget bill language that essentially would require school districts receiving state funds use "proven methods and not the disaster that has been described here today," he told the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee on Thursday.

Alpine has dodged the first bullet but is not out of range just yet. The subcommittee voted unanimously to have the Education Interim Committee study math standards following the close of the 2006 Legislature session. Alpine's elementary school Investigations of Space and Data program and its middle school program called Connected Math will be specific targets of the study.

Alpine School District officials defend the programs, noting they are used in conjunction with more traditional math programs, district spokeswoman Jerrilyn Mortensen said.

"We're confident that our test data will show increases in student learning and understanding in basic and advanced mathematical understanding," Mortensen said.

Parent Oak Norton criticized the programs during his committee testimony, saying the math programs leave students years behind academically because of their unconventional approach to the subject, which he deemed "pitiful."

Norton has been discussing the math programs with other parents for months and operates a Web site critical of them.

State curriculum director Brett Moulding said its likely Alpine's programs can meet the state math core curriculum using supplemental materials. He said state standards don't need to change, and that Norton's problem is with the district, not the state.

Senate Majority Assistant Whip Beverly Evans, R-Altamont, agreed.

"It's uncomfortable for me as a legislator to dictate to my local school district that you will adopt a certain curriculum," she said, directing Norton to address Alpine District — an effort Norton said he believes will fall on deaf ears.

Investigations math has been controversial since it began as a pilot program in fall 2001.

Barry Graff, the district's administrator of K-12 educational services, described it as a program in which students use discussion and group work to solve problems rather than relying on rote memorization. He used multiplying 22 by 44 as an example.