Contact the SPS board and administrators, asks Where's the Math

King County Superior Court REJECTS Seattle's High School Math Adoption

Where's the Math - News Brief and Action Alert

February 7, 2010. For Immediate Release

On February 4th, King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector ruled that last year's Seattle School board decision to adopt the Discovering high school textbook series was arbitrary and capricious. Judge Spector's ruling was heard and hailed across the country by private citizens and math education advocacy groups.

This unprecedented finding shows school boards and district administration that they need to consider evidence when making decisions. The voice of the community has been upheld by law, but the Seattle School district indicated they plan to appeal, demonstrating the typical arrogant, wasteful practices which necessitated the lawsuit in the first place.

Concerned individuals in Seattle and across the country need to speak up now, and let Seattle administration know that it's time to move forward and refocus on the students, rather than defend a past mistake.

The ruling states:

"The court finds, based upon a review of the entire administrative record, that there is insufficient evidence for any reasonable Board member to approve the selection of the Discovering Series."

"The Board's selection of the Discovery Series was arbitrary [and] capricious."

This ruling does not mean that the courts are dictating textbooks. The legal definition of "arbitrary and capricious" implies an ".absence of a rational connection between the facts found and the choice made. There should be a clear error of judgment; an action not based upon consideration of relevant factors" (http://definitions.uslegal.com).

Seattle School District states in a memo to staff:

"This is a very surprising ruling and Seattle Public Schools is now evaluating the decision and our next steps. In addition to any action the School Board may take, the district expects to appeal this decision."

"We want students, teachers and families to be assured that the judge did not order the district to stop using these materials; she simply found that the school board had insufficient information and sent the decision back for further evaluation. This means that we will continue to use the instructional materials."

Already, district administration is downplaying the court's decision. The memo to staff implies this is no big deal, that the district will appeal, and that once the school board gets a little bit more information, everything will be fine.

Make it stop. Now is the time. Share your stories and concerns with Seattle district leaders. After more than a decade of promoting reform math textbooks and increasing the achievement gap, Judge Spector has provided an opportunity to reset the helm to the correct course. Please write and encourage the Board and Superintendent to:

-Not appeal this decision. Save the money for new textbooks that aren't "mathematically unsound"

-As ordered by Judge Spector, review the process and re-vote on the high school instructional materials adoption, considering all the relevant evidence.

-Model good citizenship and take prompt action on this matter

An appeal is expensive, and further erodes the district's credibility and public trust. The judge ordered the Board to take another hard look, which is far cheaper, easier, and more politically sound than having lawyers argue over an appeal.

For more information, see:

Full text of ruling: http://www.seattlepi.com/dayart/PDF/mathtextruling_20100204.pdf

YOUR financial support is needed. To donate: http://seattlemathgroup.blogspot.com/

Video news brief: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/83587497.html?tab=video

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2010995832_edit08mathbooks.html

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/415049_math04.html

Your letters make a difference. The legal record that formed the original basis for this case included critical comments and evidence from the public. Contact information for district staff and school board directors is provided below.

Maria Goodloe-Johnson, Superintendent maria.goodloe-johnson@seattleschools.org

Susan Enfield, Chief Academic Officer saenfield@seattleschools.org

Anna Maria de la Fuente, Math Program Manager ahdelafuente@seattleschools.org

Cathy Thompson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. cthompson@seattleschools.org

Seattle School Board Directors

District I - Peter Maier peter.maier@seattleschools.org

District II - Sherry Carr sherry.carr@seattleschools.org

District III - Harium Martin-Morris harium.martin-morris@seattleschools.org

District IV - Michael DeBell michael.debell@seattleschools.org

District V - Kay Smith-Blum kay.smith-blum@seattleschools.org

District VI - Steve Sundquist steve.sundquist@seattleschools.org

District VII - Betty Patu betty.patu@seattleschools.org