After a three-month comprehensive study of the school district's Mathematics and Computer Skills Programs, the review committees for each program presented their findings and recommendations to the Farmingdale Board of Education at last week's Feb. 4 board meeting.

The meeting, which is typically held in the Terry Weathers Board Room of the Howitt Middle School, was moved that night to the auditorium in anticipation of a large turnout due to the Review Committees' presentations; though the audience was comprised of about 25 people, sporadically seated.

Both committees, each made up of administrators from its respective program - seven from Math and three from Computer Skills - began their PowerPoint presentations by outlining the goals of the program as well as the desired outcomes.

The Math Committee explained that for its study, it had compiled information from district records, school publications, and from a survey of teachers' perceptions; and that its review covered the secondary math program in grades seven through 12. Its goals, as outlined in its evaluation report, included helping students to: value mathematics, become confident in their math skills, become mathematical problem solvers, communicate and reason mathematically, and raise their achievement.

The Math Committee concluded its 15-minute presentation by explaining to the board how the mathematics program positively impacts its students, and by also recommending that in order to continue to successfully accomplish its goals and to continue to meet the learning standards set by New York State, it should consider the following: updating 10- and 15-year-old textbooks, constructing a high school computer lab, paralleling like classes, and providing inter-building visitations and meetings.

The Computer Skills Committee, which reviewed eighth grade computer skills, also gathered its information from many of the same sources as the Math Committee did. The goals of the program, as defined by the New York State Learning Standards, were also highlighted and broadly included: helping students to work toward mastering the computer skills necessary for success in today's world.

Like the Math Committee, the Computer Skills Committee also proposed its recommendations to the board. It suggested: increasing communication between the Business Department and the Computer Skills Department, introducing spreadsheets and database projects in the middle school to better prepare students for high school courses, increasing student awareness of high school course offerings, and increasing student awareness of how business courses may impact their career opportunities.

Board member Jane Rubenstein and Vice President Tina Diamond agreed with the Computer Skills Committee's suggestion of integrating a spreadsheet program such as Excel into the curriculum. Rubenstein noted that knowledge of such a program is a critical ingredient in the skills of any entry-level job applicant.

Although the recommendations of both committees will be further reviewed by the board, board member Marie Colalucci made the observation that both committees have a natural connection and that many of their goals can be met by working together. Math needs technology like technology needs math. "Maybe both committees can converge and integrate their lessons," she suggested.