School Board Approves New Math Curriculum

The Johnston County Public School (JCPS) Board has approved a new mathematics curriculum. At their April 13th meeting, the Board voted 7-to-0 to purchase the enVision MATH. Since June 2020, various curriculums were tested and enVision MATH was chosen. The Board of Education has not purchased a standard countywide math curriculum in more than 10 years.

The conceptual set of learning documents uses modeling and concepts to teach math, versus the traditional procedural method that many parents are familiar with and understand.

The Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability office stated the materials met the Mathematics JCPS core rubric Non-Negotiable Criteria: Alignment, Focus, Coherence, Rigor and Balance and Equity.

Board member Lyn Andrews questioned Curriculum Director Leanne Daughtry about having some inclusion of procedural learning and rudimentary math for the elementary learners. Daughtry stated that the non-negotiable element of Rigor does include both procedural and conceptual elements.

Andrews pointed out the data provided on the efficacy of the program were not from districts in North Carolina, and asked for data from the few N.C. districts using the curriculum. Daughtry replied that they did not have data to show because they have not been using it long enough.

Terry Sessoms stated, “The North Carolina course of study is the curriculum – that listing of standards. The reason I say that is because there’s been a misconception out there that we haven’t had any math happening in our schools in the last several years. Because teachers, and not just teachers, but you know that term curriculum has been thrown around and it’s like ‘oh we don’t have a curriculum.’ …If you go to the DPI documents you can see what the curriculum is. What we’re talking about with enVision, like with investigations and all these others, those are resources, support resources to teach the North Carolina curriculum.”

In accordance with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, North Carolina’s Standard Course of Study defines the appropriate content standards for each grade level and each high school course. Standards define what students know and should be able to do. With these standards as the foundation, local school leaders make decisions about the comprehensive curriculum that they choose to deliver to students so that they can reach the content standards for every grade and subject.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Nicholas King said they would like to adopt the documents for 5 years. Board member Kay Carroll requested Chief Financial Officer Stephen Britt confirm the first two year cost of $4,457,000 is available. Mr. Britt confirmed funds were available for the expenditure.

Andrews questioned the Professional Development, saying when the English Language Arts Curriculum was rolled out two years ago teachers were only given four hours of learning insturction. “There will be some Staff Development this summer for those who want to come – are we going to roll it out before training is done?”

The Curriculum Department reported they would use the Wednesday Staff Development days that remain in this school calendar to offer training. JCPS will also offer non-mandatory professional development during the summer, and will use a portion of the five mandatory staff days to train the week prior to schools opening for the new school year in August.

Dr. King added that continued staff training will occur by an assigned representative from enVision MATH during the school year, and online recorded professional development will be available at anytime for teachers.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy asked for the Curriculum Department to update the school board each quarter on the implementation.

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9 COMMENTS

  1. Though I’m not overly familiar with the program, other seem to indicate that it is not easy for the parents to have a thorough glimpse of the lessons without having a set of the teacher’s material.

    • It is designed to separate the parents from the kids, the same way by design to make sure Johnston Tax Payers and Parents are not aloud to view the financial bank books of public monies and how they are spent once the County Commissioners dump millions of dollars into the Board of Education bank account. Ever wonder why this public information is off limit to be viewed? Parents and Tax Payers just watch the true story Bad Education and the true movie preview link below and open your minds. Just imagine some of our school leaders in the place of some in the movie and again open your minds.

      https://www.popsugar.com/node/47269216

  2. Johnston County Parents have you ever heard of Common Core if not your kids are exposed now. Anyone really expect this curriculum to reflect the values of this County? I quote Adolf Hitler “ give me a child at the age of 7 and he is mine forever” Johnston County Parents you have lost the most loved and cherished part of your family and don’t even realize it.

  3. Never knew math has changed. Same yesterday, now and tomorrow, don’t you think? Pay millions for a new curriculum?

  4. The JCPS leaders say training will be offered this summer. While teachers are teaching summer school for over 6 weeks to at risk students. That will not happen and they know it…

  5. Ms. Michelle Antoine will you please breakdown and explain the damage that is being done by the Johnston County School Board by implementing this new math curriculum and what it does to further separate parents from their children. I am so thankful that we have a highly educated intellectual citizen with the stature of Ms. Michelle Antoine that takes the time and hard work it takes to unmask these Johnston County Board Members that when running for office pretend to be common sense Republicans. Tax Payers and Parents when in life you are doing business or maybe attending church or it could be they are your neighbor how do you feel when the School Board Member you thought you knew as a common sense conservative mask has been removed and they are implementing socialist/communist far left politics into our school system and trying to politically change your kids for ever? All parents want is Math,English and true History taught not political correctness and Democrat Socialist/Communist world views. Ms. Michelle Antoine We need you this next election PLEASE!!!

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