In all of the data, statistics, reports, studies and administrator presentations floating around, the students' reality is hard to find. The listed "Betrayed" blog articles gives you a taste of what the students deal with every single day -- day after day after day after day.
Nov. 4, 2008: Constructivism and lack of practice
Nov. 10, 2008: So Many Distractions; So Little Time
Nov. 26, 2008: Social-Promotion Policy Fails Students
Dec. 17, 2008: District view of AP at odds with universities
Jan. 9, 2009: What about the 40% who didn't pass?
Feb. 19, 2009: Pass rates on 2008 state tests
June 24, 2009: Students learn by being taught
Nov. 29, 2009: The truth of Spokane's K-12 math program
June 24, 2010: Remedial rates: Spokane's big, dirty secret
Aug. 14, 2010: Grammar problems caused by hyper-constructivism - by Robert Archer
Sept. 2, 2010: Pass rates on 2010 state math tests shocking
Jan. 3, 2011: "What I see" - Parent volunteer tells heartbreaking tale
May 10, 2011: Tutoring desperately needed; please help us
June 3, 2011: Who cares about Celesta? (part 1)
June 8, 2011: District blames Celesta for gaps in math skills (part 2)
June 23, 2011: District rejects community efforts to help Celesta (part 3)
September 3, 2011: Politics driving math classes -- not equity, justice ... or math
Jan. 23, 2012: Hold district accountable for deceit, academic failure, questionable activity
April 11, 2012: Has constructivism increased special education enrollment in public schools? - By Nakonia Hayes
May 14, 2012: America's math problem: What is it, why do we have it, and what will it do to America?" - Part 1 of 2 -- This student changed her mind about publishing her essay after receiving feedback from others in the city on her questions. It's too bad. I liked her essay.
Oct. 8, 2012: In defense of long division: Pro-reform professor capably shows why reform math doesn't work
Oct. 14, 2012: In defense of vertical multiplication: Reform methods stumble over decimals
Oct. 23, 2012: In defense of the number line: Reform methods for teaching negatives fail on fractions, decimals ... and negatives
Oct. 31, 2012: In defense of proper process: Reform methods lead to lost information and incorrect answers
Nov. 5, 2012: In defense of direct instruction: Constant constructivism, group work and arrogant attitudes are abusive to the children
Nov. 25, 2012: Political indoctrination replacing academics as the mission of K-12 public education
Jan. 23, 2013: Common Core leading districts to adopt unproved math programs and failed approaches
May 24, 2013: How we could fix public education, and why it won't happen
June 6, 2013: Public education's "culture of power": Small minds, thin skins, fragile egos
March 25, 2014: Administrative plan for math is to fix the math program later
April 22, 2014: Professional development in math should focus on math, not on pedagogy or materials
June 2, 2014: The Myth of the Helpless Parent