Approach on math in Provo debated

PROVO — A new approach to mathematics education is being introduced at a school in the Provo District — and a handful of critics are cringing.

Teachers at Westridge Elementary School in Provo are undergoing training to learn more about math and new ways to teach the subject.

Westridge principal Gaye Gibbs says teachers need extra hours for the training and believes six days off in the school year will help.

So Provo District administrators are seeking from state education chiefs an exception to the mandatory 180 days of school a year.

But not all members of the school board are convinced it is a good idea.

"One concern is it's sort of an experiment in reducing class time to produce greater student achievement," Provo Board of Education member Carolyn Wright said.

However, Wright's concerns don't stop there.

She believes the approach sounds like the Alpine School District's controversial elementary-school mathematics program, Investigations in Number, Data, and Space.

The program, called "Investigations Math," is a "constructivist" educational philosophy. Westridge teachers are not being trained to use Investigations Math but will incorporate some constructivist ideas into lessons, said Ron Twitchell, Provo District's math specialist.

Constructivists believe teachers shouldn't demonstrate algorithms to the class; rather, students should discover math with visuals and group work. The result, they believe, is deeper understanding of math.

But in the Alpine District, vocal opposition to Investigations Math never ceased after it was implemented four years ago. Two years ago, the district incorporated traditional math into Investigations Math and throughout this year, parents and school representatives will decide whether to continue using the program at each school.

Wright and her husband, David Wright, a Brigham Young University mathematics professor, advocate more traditional approaches to math. Understanding of math comes through memorization of math facts and practicing algorithms, David Wright said.

Twitchell agrees teaching algorithms is essential but thinks constructivist philosophy is needed for students who struggle learning math by traditional methods.

"There is no such thing as a math genius," he said. "Everyone can learn math."