PSS admits shortcomings in mathematics

The recent MATHCOUNTS competition exposed that the Public School System needs to do more to improve its mathematics curriculum in the Commonwealth, which has led to students having low-level competency on the subject.

Education associate commissioner David M. Borja said the criticisms are warranted and are not only true for the CNMI but is also a correct assumption to the teaching of mathematics across the United States.

“It was also determined through a test about math [in other states in the mainland],” he said.

Borja said the test showed that students in America falls behind in the subject of math and science compared to students from a lot of Asian countries.

He said that the study could be accurate but that doesn’t mean local students are not willing to improve their math skills.

Borja said it is good to have critics pointing out that students in the CNMI are becoming slow in math.

He said it is good to hear these types of comments because to him, the comments could serve as a rallying point for the islands’ educational system to improve its teaching of math.

“I want to use it as a message that says our students need to be taught more critical math concepts,” he said.

Borja said students in the CNMI should practice more and they need to be challenged further by their teachers.

Currently, Borja said the highest level of math the PSS gives to 7th and 8th graders is algebra. He said the PSS should give more advanced steps and ideas on how students solve math problems.

In this regard, Borja said it is important that teachers, in turn, should have a strong grasp of mathematics and that can be measured by the teachers taking the PRAXIS test on math.

PSS Curriculum and Instruction Assessment committee recently held its curriculum refinement for mathematics, science and social studies.

The workshop aimed to evaluate the mathematics curriculum and hopefully upgrade the standards of the said subject based on the standards and benchmarks of the U.S. Department of Education.

Approximately 150 middle school students from 14 schools on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota competed in the local MATHCOUNTS contest held last Feb. 19 at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Schools represented in the competition, organized by EFC Engineers and Architects Corp., were Calvary Christian Academy, Chacha Oceanview Junior High School, Eucon International School, Eskuelan San Francisco De Borja, GATE Program, Grace Christian Academy, Tinian Grace Christian Academy, Hopwood Junior High School, Marianas Baptist Academy, Mount Carmel School, Saipan Community School, Saipan International School, Tinian Elementary School, and Tinian Junior-Senior High School. (Marconi Calindas)