Math wars
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Math wars is the debate over modern mathematics education, textbooks and curricula in the US that was triggered by the publication in 1989 of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). The term "math wars" was coined by commentators such as John A. Van de Walle[1] and David Klein.[2]
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[edit] Innovative curricula
Examples of innovative curricula introduced in response to the 1989 NCTM standards include:
[edit] Criticisms of reform
Critics of the "reform" textbooks say that they teach concepts which were once reserved for advanced students in higher grades. Procedural and traditional arithmetic skills such as long division are de-emphasized, or some say nearly totally deleted in favor context and content which has little or nothing to do with mathematics. Some textbooks have a separate index solely for non-mathematics content called "contexts". Reform texts favor problem-solving in new contexts over template word problems with corresponding examples. Reform texts also emphasize verbal communication, writing about mathematics and their relationships with disenfranchised groups such as ethnicity, race, and gender identity, social justice, connections between concepts, and connections between representations.[citation needed]
One particular critical review of Investigations in Number, Data, and Space[3] says:
- It has no student textbook.
- It uses 100 charts and skip counting, but not multiplication tables to teach multiplication.
- Decimal math is "effectively not present".
[edit] Traditional textbooks
Critics of the "reform" textbooks and curricula support "traditional" textbooks such as Singapore Math and Saxon math, which emphasize procedural mathematics, such as arithmetic calculation, by providing step-by-step examples skill exercises. However, even many traditional textbooks such as Saxon math usually include some projects and exercises meant to address the NCTM Standards.
Supporters of the "reform" curricula say that the "traditional textbooks contain very little content or methods outside the field of traditional mathematics, and they make little use of sophisticated graphic calculators, or pictures of many diverse cultural or disabled groups.
[edit] NCTM 2006 recommendations
In 2006, the NCTM released Curriculum Focal Points,[4] a report on the topics considered central for school mathematics. Francis Fennell, president of the NCTM, claimed that there had been no change of direction or policy in the new report,[5] and said that he resented talk of “math wars”. Interviews of many who were committed to the standards said that, like the 2000 standards, these merely refined and focused rather than renounced the original 1989 recommendations.
Nevertheless, newspapers like the Chicago Sun Times reported that the "NCTM council has admitted, more or less, that it goofed". The new report cited "inconsistency in the grade placement of mathematics topics as well as in how they are defined and what students are expected to learn." The new recommendations are that students are to be taught the basics, including the fundamentals of geometry and algebra, and memorizing multiplication tables. [6]
[edit] References
- ^ Reform Mathematics vs. The Basics: Understanding the Conflict and Dealing with It, John A. Van de Walle Virginia Commonwealth University; "Debate has degenerated to 'math wars'"
- ^ A quarter century of US 'maths wars' and political partisanship, David Klein, California State University
- ^ Mathematically Correct Fifth Grade Mathematics Review, Marlene Kliman, et. al.
- ^ Curriculum Focal Points, NCTM
- ^ Letter to the New York Times, Francis Fennell
- ^ Chicago Sun Times "Fuzzy teaching ideas never added up" September 13, 2006
[edit] See also
- Education in the United States
- Mathematically Correct
- Traditional mathematics
- Outcome-based education
Standards based mathematics controversy |
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Constructivist Mathematics: NCTM Standards • Integrated mathematics • Core-Plus Mathematics Project • Focus on Algebra • Investigations in Numbers, Data, and Space • Connected Mathematics • Everyday Mathematics • Mathland • Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP) • WASL Rigorous Traditional Mathematics: Traditional mathematics • Mathematically Correct • David Klein • NYC HOLD • Saxon math • Singapore Math • Modern Curriculum Press • |