I’ve been following the recent controversy concerning poor scores obtained by Nova Scotia students in their provincial math exams. It’s interesting to note that the blame seems to fall either on the type of curriculum offered or on the teachers who are trying to implement that curriculum. As a former math teacher at the elementary and junior high school levels, I think the problem lies elsewhere.
During their elementary and junior high years of study, Nova Scotia students are exposed to math every day that they attend school. However, when they enter senior high, where the semester system is in place, their exposure to math is reduced to half a year. As well, some students may take math from September to January and then not see it again until the following February.
Math is a language and, as such, needs to be practised as often as possible. Maybe it’s time to look at the semester system and test it to find out if it best serves the needs of our students.
Peter Thompson, Upper LaHave
