Friday, June 19, 2020

WCPSS School Board Candidate MVP Survey

Candidates for the WCPSS School Board, whether incumbent or challenger, are strongly welcomed (and encouraged!) to complete the WCPSS School Board Candidate MVP Survey available at https://bit.ly/wcpss-candidate-mvp-survey.

Parents and voters want to know where you stand on the MVP subject and what you're prepared to do about it, if anything.  If you support it and love it and don't plan any action, PLEASE BE BRAVE and let everyone know.  Voters want honesty and transparency - not talking points and hollow rhetoric.

In fact, for candidates who do not complete this survey, our assumption will be that you fully support MVP and all the actions taken by WCPSS staff and School Board the past year and a half which are well-documented on this blog, at wakemvp.com, and parentrights.net.

Here are the questions in the survey:
  • Email address 
  • Your Name 
  • Contact Information, Website, Social Media, etc.
  • Your Awareness of MVP Curriculum in WCPSS (answer between Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree)
    • MVP has been used in WCPSS middle & high school since 2017-18 school year
    • MVP is based on an INTEGRATED math sequence (Math 1, 2, 3)
    • MVP is not based on a SEQUENTIAL math sequence (Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Trig, etc)
    • Evidence has been shown that math achievement has been negatively impacted with MVP
    • Evidence has been shown that WCPSS staff withheld hundreds of negative teacher comments about MVP from the school board and public, while cherry-picking and editing a few positive comments as representative
    • MVP does not have a textbook or online math reference content - only a series of single-use problem workbooks
    • The use of MVP has resulted in an increased requirement for after-school tutoring and/or use of 3rd party math resources such as Khan and YouTube
    • MVP may widen achievement gaps as parents of means are more likely to afford after-school tutors and Internet access
    • WCPSS has spent over $2M related to MVP, including licensing, training, reviews, printing, etc.
    • I have visited wakemvp.com and am familiar with the MVP issues documented there
    • I have visited wakemvp.blogspot.com and am familiar with the MVP issues documented there
    • MVP requires teachers to use discovery / inquiry based teaching methods instead of allowing teachers latitude in choosing methods that best work for their students 
    • I am satisfied with the excuses and explanations the WCPSS data team has provided for every single data point indicating MVP has impacted math performance
    • I believe that the data analyses provided by WCPSS staff about MVP is sometimes based on "spin" and cherry-picked data in order to maintain status quo
    • I can cite concrete evidence and research (not just opinion) that shows that MVP is an effective curriculum
  • Your Awareness of the MVP Company (answer between Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree)
    • MVP filed lawsuit against a Wake County parent
    • The lawsuit was a baseless "strategic lawsuit against public participation" (SLAPP) which sought to silence parent criticism
    • WCPSS School Board did not make a public statement in support of the parent or rebuking MVP for the lawsuit
    • WCPSS has continued to spend funds on MVP products and/or services since the lawsuit
    • MVP is not used broadly in the school district where its headquarters are located (near American Fork, Utah)
    • MVP has blocked Wake County parents on social media who have made critical or inquiring comments
    • MVP's website does not provide a mailing address or phone number
    • As of 6/10/20, MVP has still not provided a COVID-19 response, whereas most other curriculum vendors have
  • What Actions Will You Take?
    • I believe that MVP should be removed from WCPSS and replaced with a proven math curriculum
    • I believe that INTEGRATED math should be abandoned and replaced with the SEQUENTIAL math sequence
    • I am willing to hold the superintendent accountable if she refuses to replace MVP
    • I am willing to hold the superintendent accountable if she refuses to return to SEQUENTIAL math
    • I am willing to vote against funding any new spending related to MVP
    • WCPSS should cut ties with any vendor who sues a parent
    • Staff who are shown to have misled or lied by omission of facts when presenting to the Board or public should be strongly disciplined, which may include dismissal
    • Staff who have ushered in and defended MVP in light of ample evidence against it should be replaced
  • Other General Opinions about Math Education
    • In the event schools are on a TRADITIONAL math sequence (Algebra, Trig, etc) I believe Algebra should not start until 9th grade
    • In the event schools are on a TRADITIONAL math sequence (Algebra, Trig, etc) I believe Algebra should be offered to students as soon as they can handle it
    • Schools should have HONORS classes that allow advanced students more challenges
    • HONORS classes should be removed from schools
    • Any student, regardless of color, should be allowed to attempt any HONORS class at the recommendation of their teacher or parent/guardian
    • It's important for students to practice math problems in order for them to become proficient in math skills
    • Teachers should lead the math class, not students
    • If "collaboration" is the main means by which math information is imparted to students, there is a risk that students will value what they "discovered" more than what the teacher tells them
    • Answers to math problems are either right or wrong
    • When a student gets a math problem wrong, this is an opportunity for the teacher to help the student learn from their mistake(s) and hopefully get such problems correct in the future
    • Standardized math tests (such as end of grade and end of course) should be eliminated
    • Each core math course should be delivered in a year-long format
    • I was a strong math student in school
    • I will value and consider actual research about math educational matters before making decisions
    • I will value and consider input from teachers about math educational matters before making decisions
    • I will value and consider input from parents about math educational matters before making decisions
    • I will not support the procurement of math curriculums which do not have an established track record of success in at least one of the top 1000 largest school districts in the country
  • Any additional write-in comments about MVP or math curriculum (optional)
  • Any additional write-in comments about you or your candidacy (optional)
If you have questions about this survey or anything related to this blog, please reach out to wakemvpparent@gmail.com.

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