Kent math nights this week add parents, business to equation
By BRIAN BECKLEY
Kent Reporter General assignment reporter
October 26, 2008 · 2:24 PM
The Kent School District next week is hosting its first ever district-wide Community Math Nights with the goal of getting the entire community involved in math education.
"We want everyone to come together," said Tami Harto, Math coordinator for the district.
The two events are set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Kentridge High School, 12430 S.E. 208th St., and 6:30 to 8:30 Oct 28 at Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave, S.E.
According to Harto, the math nights are part of a five-year collaboration with the Math Education Collaborative, a group that works to brings schools, families and business leaders together to show the importance of mathematics education.
Part of the goal of the nights will be to introduce parents to the new ways of teaching math, which Harto said focus ore on problem solving than the memorization and repetition taught in the past.
Harto said the changes have come in response to the evolving world around us.
"Business people are looking for for folks who are good problem solvers," she said.
Harto said the math nights are also designed to encourage students to continue their math education.
"We now know that most people who enter the workforce in the future will need advanced algebra or higher," she said, adding that science, technology, engineering and math are fields that continue to grow.
"We need to provide our students the opportunity to compete in that world," she said.
For more information about the District Math Nights, call Tami Harto at 253-373-7130.
Contact Kent Reporter General assignment reporter Brian Beckley at bbeckley@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5054.Comment on this story.
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