The Portland Press Herald noted the appointment of an interim community college chief, Derek Langhauser (“Interim head of community colleges has ‘productive’ meeting with LePage,” March 26).

Reading the article, I was curious when I read that Langhauser and Gov. LePage “discussed ways to reduce the remediation rate,” because the issue isn’t at the community college level; rather, it’s with secondary school system and instruction. What I’m saying about math I suspect is true for all disciplines.

I have a doctorate in adult remedial math education (yes, there is such a thing). I retired from teaching at Southern Maine Community College last spring, having taught primarily the remedial math course for 10 years.

Stories from students indicate that their ability to do math was never truly assessed. They were shunted aside, minimized, bullied (too strong?), denigrated and generally ridiculed to the point of despair.

They accepted the school’s determining that they were no good in math. They didn’t learn math; they learned (yes, learned!) how to hate math and worse, they were led to believe that they were incapable of ever learning math.

How do I know this? On the first day of every remedial class, I would have them close their eyes, fold their hands, take a deep breath, and then I would ask, “Who in here can tell me when and where it was determined that you can’t do math?”

An audible groan resulted and the class erupted with stories, naming teachers and what was said. Somewhat frightening but also therapeutic.

We at SMCC have been successful getting students to do math. Their mastery of math led some to consider careers that require higher-order math. They moved from “I hate this stuff” to “I can do this!”

I hope that the new chief and the governor consider that these remedial students have been victimized. Don’t sustain that.

Mark Schwartz

South Portland

Copy the Story Link