The president of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils is concerned about lagging math marks at New Westminster Secondary School and the relationship between parents and the school district.
Ann Whiteaker, who heads the provincewide parent group, reviewed data on Math 10 marks for the 2010/11 school year at New Westminster Secondary School and found "only 29 per cent of New Westminster students are achieving a C+ or better in Math 10 essentials principals, while 69 per cent are failing or minimally meeting expectations.
"When we compare this data with adjacent districts, there is area for some concern," she wrote in a letter she sent to local school trustees and district administrators on Tuesday. "Burnaby reports 50 per cent of students achieving C+ or better. Coquitlam reports 56 per cent of students achieving C+ or better.
"Further investigation should be focused on improving numeracy achievement throughout the district," Whiteaker wrote.
Whiteaker asked the district for an outline of the process used to evaluate teachers, principals and vice-principals; the frequency of evaluations; a copy of an evaluation form; and the evaluation process used in the district to improve student learning.
She also requested a copy of the NWSS improvement plan, which she'd tried to find on the district's website and had requested from staff but didn't receive. She also wanted a job description for the facilitator of mathematics.
There is a "lack of focus" on grades 8 to 12 in the achievement contract, noted Whiteaker, who couldn't be reached by phone for comment.
"Which raises questions as to whether the district focus on early learners has overshadowed the needs and supports required to assist and support senior students, specifically in numeracy," she wrote.
Whiteaker called for a parent representative to have input on the district's achievement contract - a document that school districts must send to the Ministry of Education each year.
Whiteaker attended at least two school district meetings recently, advocating on behalf of parents who are concerned about a high-failure rate in a math class at the high school.
In her letter, Whiteaker is critical of the district's handling of parent complaints and noted the strained relations between the district and parents.
Lisa Chao, one of two parents who raised the math concerns, said the issue and the district's handling of it speaks to a broader "cultural" problem in the school district. The district continually told her and other parents that it was looking into their concerns, but there has been no "discernible" difference, she said.
"This has been an ongoing problem for years," Chao added. "Everybody knew, from the math department head all the way up to the ministry, yet when a parent comes to advocate for their children, they are dismissed."
The district did bump up the grades for students in Chao's child's Foundation of Math 11 class this year, but the move didn't appease the parents.
Chao recently received math data from the district - after she filed a freedom of information requested - and she was shocked by the failure rates in certain classes going back years.
Superintendent John Woudzia didn't want to comment on this story, but rather wants to sit down with The Record and discuss math marks. The Record will provide a follow-up story on the issue.
