Math Extra Credit

On March 10, 2008 in Montpelier, Vermont, students took a statewide high school math test. Only 30 percent of the eleventh graders got a proficient or higher math score. In reading, girls got 75 percent, and boys got 59 percent. In writing, girls got 48 and boys got 30 percent. In math, the boys just beat the girls by two points. It was 31 to 29 percent. Richard Cate, an Education Commissioner for the school said that technology can hurt and help. In writing, for example, students are learning text-message language. But on the other hand, computers are very useful. "Even more troubling perhaps is that such a significant percentage of them are substantially below proficient. It isn't like everybody's almost there and they didn't get up. There's a major segment of them that are just completely off the scale in terms of performance," Cate said. He was surprised by the lack of math skills. Cate thinks teachers should spend time on repetitive lessons like multiplication tables and other math exercises.


I'm surprised that high school students would get percentages like that! I do agree with Cate though; I think the teachers should spend time on math exercises. Also, I believe computers can hurt and help. With all the new technology, many students get distracted. I hope Cate can help get their percentages up. For more info, go to http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2008/03/10/test_results_only_30_percent_of_students_proficient_in_math/