Seattle School Board should take time on math-book decision

THE Seattle School Board could decide tonight whether to choose the "Discovering" books for high-school math. This is a big decision, and would be better delayed a month than got wrong.

Board members Michael DeBell and Harium Martin-Morris argue that the discover-it-on-your-own method of learning in the "Discovering" books by Key Curriculum Press make them harder to use at home.

Consultant Linda Plattner said for the State Board of Education that "Discovering Algebra" has students rely too much on calculators and that "Discovering Geometry" makes too little use of axioms and proofs.

Supporters make their case more about the process of selection. A committee of educators was asked to compare the books, they worked a long time, and they chose "Discovering" instead of the more traditional Prentice-Hall books. The administration supports them. It wants to get moving, because the old math books are in tatters.

The School Board needs to decide soon. But it should decide between the top candidates — "Discovering" and Prentice-Hall — only when all board members understand they are elected to set policy, not to support committees. Their job is to assert the needs of the public.

The School Board can adopt a book the State Board of Education says is inadequate if it has a compelling reason. But it does need one.