Textbook Question

AW 1880

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1:44p, 11/29/25

AG

My kids have used SpringBoard textbooks for math for the last several years, and I've thought they were pretty useless. I found an Algebra 2 textbook from 2010 at a garage sale and compared it against my son's SpringBoard textbook. Springboard is almost worthless compared to the older textbook. For example, I compared two common chapters. Springboard had zero examples of solving problems while the older textbook probably had a few dozen step by step examples.

Where this may be politics related, what is the best way to let my schools/district know we need better and potentially make a change?

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Sid Farkas

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1:54p, 11/29/25

AG

no need to bother. They are measured on graduation rates, not on scholastic achievement

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ts5641

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2:05p, 11/29/25

They'll just pass everyone anyway especially if they're of color, gay, muslim, etc.

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AggieT

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In reply to AW 1880 • 2:08p, 11/29/25

AG

Tell the board that the SpringBoard books are not inclusive, and that the better books that you want would benefit trans students.

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zooguy96

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4:01p, 11/29/25

AG

Any older textbook will be far better. Most of the textbooks coming out now don't have enough examples, aren't really good at explaining the concept, etc. New age "mathematics". It's stupid.

And, yes, I work for a math department at a major university and was a math and science teacher for 10 years.

I know a lot about a little, and a little about a lot.

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BigRobSA

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In reply to zooguy96 • 4:02p, 11/29/25

zooguy96 said:
Any older textbook will be far better. Most of the textbooks coming out now don't have enough examples, aren't really good at explaining the concept, etc. New age "mathematics". It's stupid.

And, yes, I work for a math department at a major university and was a math and science teacher for 10 years.

username does not check out.

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zooguy96

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In reply to BigRobSA • 4:05p, 11/29/25

AG

BigRobSA said:
zooguy96 said:
Any older textbook will be far better. Most of the textbooks coming out now don't have enough examples, aren't really good at explaining the concept, etc. New age "mathematics". It's stupid.

And, yes, I work for a math department at a major university and was a math and science teacher for 10 years.

username does not check out.

I know a lot about a little, and a little about a lot.

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sleepybeagle

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In reply to AW 1880 • 4:11p, 11/29/25

AG

AW 1880 said:
... Springboard had zero examples of solving problems while the older textbook probably had a few dozen step by step examples.

Yes this is political. It's about giving girls a leg-up and hurting boys. Let me explain...

Years ago - all you needed to do to pass any math exam was:
1) Know which chapters are on the test "Friday's test will cover 5.2 to 5.7 in your text book"
2) Look at the examples of how to work the math problems
3) Work the problems and find the answers for the odd # questions in the back.
4) Did you do it correctly? Good...you'll pass the test.

Today - modern math books are not setup like they were years ago. These books are basically multi-colored fluffy "story books" that aren't really relevant to the coursework. The teacher will give examples in class that require the student to take notes, or more likely she'll give hand-outs to supplement what's going to be on the test.

This new approach works fine if you are a good listener, are organized, and can take good notes. Important verbal skills for sure, but none of these skills have much to do with excelling at analytical math. Most younger boys, good at math, are probably messy note takers, daydream in class, and are a disorganized mess stuffing hand-outs in the back of their notebook if they don't lose them first.

Math teaching as been re-structured to help more verbally skilled girls do better to the detriment of the more analytical boys.

I would not have become an engineer if I were a young student today. I would have failed math.

sleepybeagle

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Cinco Ranch Aggie

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In reply to zooguy96 • 6:30p, 11/29/25

AG

zooguy96 said:
Any older textbook will be far better. Most of the textbooks coming out now don't have enough examples, aren't really good at explaining the concept, etc. New age "mathematics". It's stupid.

And, yes, I work for a math department at a major university and was a math and science teacher for 10 years.

I was in the middle of my youngest's journey through math when this movie came out. I laughed so hard at this.

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nai06

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10:22a, 11/30/25

AG

Here's a serious apolitical answer.

Contact your district and ask when the next textbook adoption is. When that occurs, volunteer to be on the public representation committee. Both you and the teachers will review a variety of textbooks and make recommendations to your school district on which to use moving forward. Keep in mind it's a lot of work you have to read 10-12 books cover to cover, take extensive notes, and go to review meetings. The upside is that Districts will actually listen to you and place a lot of weight on your opinion because frankly, no one ever volunteers for these things. I did something like 6 in my career and there was never a member of the public that took part.

It likely won't matter for your kids as they are usually every 4-7 years, but that is how you can make an impact on which textbooks your school uses.

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Over_ed

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10:45a, 11/30/25

AG

One of my side jobs was as reviewer/contributor for Texas adoption of Prentice-Hall math books. At the time, Texas was their most important state. One of the things I did was suggest and write improvements to the math texts and ancillary materials. Back then, we put a LOT of effort into worked examples. But as far as why things changed...

Two reasons I can cite:
Reason 1 --- Costs of textbooks (thinner - cheaper)
Reason 2 -- Pedagogical reasons: Instead of teaching one way to solve problems "learning experts" decided it was better for kids to flounder around and come up with their own way. The publishers loved this, because it meant that they didn't have to show ANY way, and ---see reason 1.

Liberalism in public education seems determined to prevent most students from developing good analytic skills. The correct answer - teach them all "a way" and encourage the brightest to look for other ways, instead of being bored in class waiting for the average students to catch up.

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Quito

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1:38p, 11/30/25

AG

I've noticed the same. I use ChatGPT give me examples and even several similar questions.

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BigRobSA

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In reply to Cinco Ranch Aggie • 1:43p, 11/30/25

Cinco Ranch Aggie said:
zooguy96 said:
Any older textbook will be far better. Most of the textbooks coming out now don't have enough examples, aren't really good at explaining the concept, etc. New age "mathematics". It's stupid.

And, yes, I work for a math department at a major university and was a math and science teacher for 10 years.

I was in the middle of my youngest's journey through math when this movie came out. I laughed so hard at this.

I was helping my best friend's eldest daughter learn elementary school math and they were using squares or some **** instead of teaching actual math and analytical skills.

It made me, quite literally, exclaim "What the **** !?" when she was showing me their directions for doing this crap. I taught her actual math and how to analyze an equation/problem. She went on to do well in college math.

Liberals ruin everything.

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SA68AG

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In reply to AW 1880 • 1:56p, 11/30/25

AG

AW 1880 said:
My kids have used SpringBoard textbooks for math for the last several years, and I've thought they were pretty useless. I found an Algebra 2 textbook from 2010 at a garage sale and compared it against my son's SpringBoard textbook. Springboard is almost worthless compared to the older textbook. For example, I compared two common chapters. Springboard had zero examples of solving problems while the older textbook probably had a few dozen step by step examples.

Where this may be politics related, what is the best way to let my schools/district know we need better and potentially make a change?

If you really want your child to learn math, get an old text book and get the teacher's edition or just the teacher's edition. Answers to all questions and sometimes solutions to all. Generally have tips on teaching concepts also.

I have a degree in math from A&M and when I look at the textbooks my grand kids use in Round Rock Westwood schools, I can't believe how crappy they are.

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