The Highline School District will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. at district headquarters (ERAC), 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W. to discuss the district's K-6 math program.

The district undertook a "listening tour" of teachers, principals, parents and community members to examine its elementary math program. Results of the tour were announced at the district's board meeting on Jan. 26.

Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson termed the tour "a thoughtful process."

Participants overwhelming criticized the district's current "Investigations" math curriculum.

According to staffers from Education First Consulting, the participants praised the curriculum's focus on concepts and problem solving. But they worried that the program does not align with new more rigorous standards.

They also reported that professional development for teachers was not intensive enough and asked for more time for teachers to collaborate.

Am elementary-school father in the audience complained that he was unable to help his child with math homework.

"Math is being taught backwards, he said. "The kids don't know the basics."

He also noted he was worried that elementary students are not learning multiplication tables.

The consultants noted that "exemplary districts" spend more time on math during the school day-90 to 120 minutes overall.

They also said that the exemplary districts use a full set of instructional tools, not just textbooks to provide common high expectations for all students. The districts also use detailed curriculum with highly structured lessons.

Instruction director Angus Mairs said he would form an advisory committee and submit recommendations for elementary math curriculum to the board in March.