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http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-licalc014997005dec01,0,7341210.story?coll=ny-top-headlines
Schools do the math
State education department mandates that districts supply expensive calculators, giving parents relief
BY JOHN HILDEBRAND
Newsday Staff Writer
December 1, 2006
Parents who find themselves shopping with their teens for $120 graphing calculators may appreciate this:
In response to complaints, the State Education Department today is informing local school officials that they, and not students or parents, are responsible for purchasing hand-held calculators whenever those devices are required in classrooms. The ruling potentially affects more than 100,000 students on Long Island alone, officials said.
The state's rationale: Calculators are considered teaching materials, like textbooks. In this sense, the state regards the devices as different from "supplies," such as pencils and paper, that are relatively inexpensive and that students can be required to buy.
The state's new directive appears in a Dec. 1 memo to school superintendents and business officials from Charles Szuberla, the department's coordinator of school management services.
"Under no circumstances should students be charged for a calculator or otherwise required to purchase one in order to participate in an educational program," Szuberla declares.
Under state curriculum guidelines, use of basic calculators starts in third grade, while more advanced calculators are used through high school.
The state's announcement is unwelcome news in school districts that, until now, have required students to supply their own calculators. Some local administrators say the state's directive leaves important questions unanswered - for example, whether each student must be given a calculator or whether students can be asked to share in class.
"To me, it's ludicrous," said John Richman, superintendent of Plainedge schools, who said the state directive could cost his district $120,000 in calculator purchases. "If the kid couldn't afford it, we've found one for him. But now, they've created what could be a logistical nightmare."
Many parents, on the other hand, often voice annoyance over the cost of calculators - especially when they have to pay to replace devices lost or stolen.
George Deabold, an East Islip parent and civic activist, was instrumental in pressing the state to take the action announced today, and he says he got the idea after hearing complaints from other parents.
Deabold noted that the state constitution requires free public education. "Free means free," he said.
East Islip school officials say they must review the state directive before deciding whether to change their current policy, which allows inclusion of calculators on school-supply shopping lists given to parents.
Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.
I had to buy three graphing calculators -- one for each dd, and then I had to replace younger dd's -- and they can be quite pricey.
Schools do the math
State education department mandates that districts supply expensive calculators, giving parents relief
BY JOHN HILDEBRAND
Newsday Staff Writer
December 1, 2006
Parents who find themselves shopping with their teens for $120 graphing calculators may appreciate this:
In response to complaints, the State Education Department today is informing local school officials that they, and not students or parents, are responsible for purchasing hand-held calculators whenever those devices are required in classrooms. The ruling potentially affects more than 100,000 students on Long Island alone, officials said.
The state's rationale: Calculators are considered teaching materials, like textbooks. In this sense, the state regards the devices as different from "supplies," such as pencils and paper, that are relatively inexpensive and that students can be required to buy.
The state's new directive appears in a Dec. 1 memo to school superintendents and business officials from Charles Szuberla, the department's coordinator of school management services.
"Under no circumstances should students be charged for a calculator or otherwise required to purchase one in order to participate in an educational program," Szuberla declares.
Under state curriculum guidelines, use of basic calculators starts in third grade, while more advanced calculators are used through high school.
The state's announcement is unwelcome news in school districts that, until now, have required students to supply their own calculators. Some local administrators say the state's directive leaves important questions unanswered - for example, whether each student must be given a calculator or whether students can be asked to share in class.
"To me, it's ludicrous," said John Richman, superintendent of Plainedge schools, who said the state directive could cost his district $120,000 in calculator purchases. "If the kid couldn't afford it, we've found one for him. But now, they've created what could be a logistical nightmare."
Many parents, on the other hand, often voice annoyance over the cost of calculators - especially when they have to pay to replace devices lost or stolen.
George Deabold, an East Islip parent and civic activist, was instrumental in pressing the state to take the action announced today, and he says he got the idea after hearing complaints from other parents.
Deabold noted that the state constitution requires free public education. "Free means free," he said.
East Islip school officials say they must review the state directive before deciding whether to change their current policy, which allows inclusion of calculators on school-supply shopping lists given to parents.
Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.
I had to buy three graphing calculators -- one for each dd, and then I had to replace younger dd's -- and they can be quite pricey.
