School Board Approves New Math Curriculum

     The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education has approved a new math curriculum, set to go into effect next school year. Rashah McChesney of the Peninsula Clarion reports the new curriculum will meet the standards adopted by the state in June.

     Director of Curriculum Doris Cannon said teachers will collaborate by grade level through the summer to develop new instructional methods.  She said changes in math instruction reflect a broader effort to get educators to teach critical thinking skills and move away from more traditional memorization techniques like the use of flash cards.  She said math class now involves a lot more discussion and problem solving.

     The district’s curriculum is reviewed on a six-year cycle, and the committee will next look into science and social studies.