by Tim Troglen
Reporter
Hudson -- A panel of six residents brought their particular skill sets to the high school arena Sept. 25 in the second part of an ongoing series discussing math and science preparedness in the 21st century.
The series, which began with a speaker Sept. 18, is designed to help school officials and community members better understand math and science skills high school students need.
Hudson Schools Superintendent Steve Farnsworth is expected to make a recommendation regarding the high school's math curriculum in December.
As Farnsworth works on his recommendation, some concerned parents have joined together to form Parents for Math Education, a group of parents who are concerned about the math curriculum in Hudson schools and the upcoming recommendation.
Topics at the Sept. 25 panel discussion ranged from skills needed for graduating students; what is looked for in potential hires and thoughts on current teaching methods. The panel included engineers, company vice presidents and a Kent State University professor, among others.
The entire panel agreed that the basics in math and science should be maintained and developed.
Students also need to develop "the ability to think in an analytical manner to work together on problems," said Tom McKenna, senior vice president of engineering and technology for Penske Logistics. "So when you get to college you can further develop those analytical skills."
The group also agreed that students need to develop a "core understanding" of basic math skills, including algebra and calculus.
"It's critical to have a foundation to build on," said William Hopkins, vice president of technology and strategic initiatives for Goodyear Tire and Rubber.
The panel also agreed that while there is a place for tools like graphic calculators and computers, students need to know more than just the correct answers.
If a student only knows how to get an answer, and not how the answer was found, "you are missing some of the lessons," said Sheila King, senior project engineer for Rockwell Automation.
Regarding the district's kindergarten through eighth-grade math program, panelist Doug Snelling of GE Lighting said he tutors high school students and said it appears to him "that most of them are pretty well prepared."
Panelist Samuel Sprunt Jr., professor of physics at KSU, disagreed.
"I would say a 'strong no' on the way math is taught," he said.
Sprunt said he has an eighth-grader who has taken math in the Hudson school system.
"It has not been a pleasurable experience," he said.
Sprunt said his child was being taught math that was too advanced, too early.
"Why were they being taught this when they had just learned the basics?" he asked.
Lauren Janesch, who attended the Sept. 25 event, said she wants to see Hudson schools change the way they teach math.
Janesch, who has two children in Hudson schools, said she believes her children "are not getting the basics" taught in the school.
"I've had to work at home teaching them their multiplication tables," she said. "I'm hoping they are not just bringing in this panel to appease the community and answer our questions."
Future discussions have yet to be scheduled. A DVD copy of the Sept. 25 discussion can be purchased from Hudson Cable TV.
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