Legacy has gone downhill significantly in the last two years. The high turnover rate among teachers speaks volumes. They switched their math curriculum to Envision, a convoluted Common Core program (and if you ask them if it's Common Core, they'll sidestep the question and start talking about state standards--that's how you know it's Common Core). The teachers disliked it, the kids were confused, and parents were at their wits' end.
We initially chose Legacy because they taught Saxon Math, a tried-and-true curriculum. But Common Core has infiltrated state standards, from a political and not educational standpoint, creating a rift between what actually makes sense for children, and state testing. Envision Math had disastrous results. To make matters worse, the administration has prohibited any discussion about curriculum during PTO meetings. A "patriotic" school suppressing free speech? The irony is hard to miss.
When I emailed the principal with detailed questions about nonsensical assignments (for example, a second grader's homework problem like 15 - 6 = 9 + X, presented without context--teaching equation balancing is fine, but why not start with something like 2 + 2 = 1 + X?), her response was laughable. She sent me a four-page PowerPoint in 48-point font, with the last page consisting of six cartoon images. That was it. I told her I expected much more from an educator, but it was already past the 100th day of school--and once that milestone is reached, schools secure funding for enrolled students. Clearly, she had no incentive to care.
We've met several other families who've decided to leave Legacy this year, and I can't blame them. Parent-teacher interactions are heavily monitored, leaving teachers essentially muzzled. They can't adapt the curriculum to make sense, yet they're evaluated (and possibly compensated) based on student performance. It's an impossible situation, especially with a curriculum that jumps between eight different methods on a single page. Children retain information through a step-by-step approach, not through chaos. No wonder so many teachers are leaving.
Legacy, here's a thought: instead of relying solely on your board members' ideas, try listening to the people who actually experience the fallout--your teachers, students, and parents. And banning conversations about curriculum at PTO meetings, despite widespread issues with student grades? That speaks for itself. read more
