I would have to question the wisdom of switching every 7 years simply for the sake of switching. Is there research to support that students and teachers benefit from switching every 7 years? I would think that it would take 1 to 3 years to get teachers thoroughly trained with a new curriculum to teach it effectively. After teachers have mastered a curriculum it will soon be replaced with a new method? Not to mention the cost of replacing core materials.
My research has found that it is not unusual to see scores improve the first 2 years after a new curriculum is adopted which is generally attributed to the enthusiasm given to a new program. However the reliability and effectiveness of a program will be revealed in the long-term statistics, which includes student achievement throughout K-12 and placement beyond primary graduation.
A requirement of our adoption process is to review programs our district will accept without discussion. So far our committee, of staff and parents, is not impressed. None of them shine compared to Saxon. When the Saxon curriculum is strictly followed and not diluted or taught in conjunction with other methods it has proven to be an excellent curriculum.
Does anyone know of any <b>independent</b> (not published by Saxon) research that supports the Saxon method?
Our district switches every 7 years regardless of parent wishes. They do this in an effort to maximize learning geared for improved testing and to make sure that the latest available teaching methods are used to benefit the learning styles of all students.
We moved from Saxon 2 years ago to Everyday Math which is an amazing program and works towards teaching multiple styles for viewing and solving problems. May I suggest that you do the research on the programs your district is looking into and why. It isn't generally benefical to resist change for the sake of resisting change.
If you are still happy, contact the people at Saxon and see if they can direct you. I'm sure
that most companies are aware of research regarding their products and can help you find what you need.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
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17 years 10 months ago#116568by <salt & light>
It is math adoption time for our school. We currently use Saxon and would like to continue due to the measured success of the program. The problem is that our district has not approved Saxon and consequently won’t continue to fund it unless we (our school) jump through some hoops to retain the curriculum and have the district continue to fund for updates and new materials.
We are to provide research by an independent source that documents and confirms the benefits and success of the Saxon program. There is all kinds of information by Saxon or Harcourt Publishing showing the success of their program but we are having difficulty finding study research material from an independent source.
I doubt that we are alone in such a dilemma I would guess that some here have been in a similar situation. Can someone point us in a direction that we might find some independent comparisons?
