Stu McColl Proposes the Calculator Law to School Board July 2007 - You read it here 1st !!!! :

 

>>>>> CALCULATOR LAW PRESENTATION <<<<<

 

Sequim School District

July 2007

 

Introduction:  It appears the majority of Sequim School District Elementary School Graduates have not committed the 12 X 12 multiplication tables to memory.  The majority of 10^th grade Sequim School District High School students have not passed the math WASL.  Of course, the value of Sequim Real Estate is effected by the Sequim School District failing math program, and that's why the Real Estate industry tries, rather ineffectively, to keep an eye on the school district with financial support and other methods.

 

Outline and Intent: This law will ban use of calculators in elementary school with the intent of improving math proficiency at the elementary level and therefore making Middle and High School level math instruction more relevant to advanced topics by offering up better prepared basic math skilled students.

 

The Law in Elementary Schools in the Sequim School District Will Be:

 

"No elementary student will use a calculator on school property at any time.  The Superintendent of the School District will be held directly responsible for carrying out this law."

 

Statement of Fact: No one has ever taken the position that placing a calculator in the hands of a Sequim elementary school student empowers the student.  Everyone agrees that elementary school kids need to learn, memorize, and/or work with arithmetic and multiplication tables.  Everyone agrees that allowing elementary level students to use calculators in lieu of arithmetic and multiplication table memorization or direct mental computation effort, probably does the student long term academic damage.  Should any school board member chose to challenge this “Statement of Fact” please do so publicly and in writing.

Bill Bentley Refuses Comment on Calculator Law

Bill Bentley Superintendent, who costs the Sequim School District over $120,000 a year, has repeatedly refused comment on the newly proposed "Calculator Law" that bans calculators from Sequim elementary schools.  Why Mr. Bentley refuses to comment on a law the majority of Sequim residents and students support is a mystery.  Accountability, and lack of accountability is always an issue in school districts.  Could it be the Bill Bentley is trying to avoid his responsibility and avoid accountability ?  He appears to not be capable of the strong leadership needed on this issue.  Our kids and our are community are in the balance here.

>>>>> End of Calculator Law Presentation <<<<<

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