Contact: Dan Dempsey at dempsey_dan@yahoo.com .......
The Math Underground is part of a national coalition, originated by NYC HOLD. .. a coalition of groups of citizens NOT vested in continually reinventing the wheel in order to justify our own existence, jobs or expertise. ........ Check the Blog list for Seattle Math Group.
The MAA is part of the problem - they attribute low test scores to student and teacher apathy. I wonder why? Culture?
In the latest test results, US student scores went up because more lower performing (third world countries) were added to the study. Its ridiculous, US students compared to third world countries, as if its going to change public opinion about education.
Thanks for the link to MAA FOCUS! I thought that was a useful article.
To respond to Anonymous, "the MAA" has no position on this. Many members of MAA do, and that includes the (elected!) officials, of course. But there is no official position. The MAA's job is to focus on collegiate mathematics, so it has avoided taking a stand on mathematics teaching in the schools.
Supposing that you were the editor of MAA Focus - has it ever dawned on the MAA Leadership that not having a position on reform curriculum is in fact taking a position.
If MAA members are sufficiently alarmed that the quality of their students had been substantially diminishing over time, than hadn't they better do something!? If you and your staff are even entertaining the notion that "calculus didactic" will help educate US students, then I think we should continue our lampooning.
The MAA is conveniently overlooking a serious problem - the elementary and secondary programs are using terrible textbooks.
The MAA is part of the problem - they attribute low test scores to student and teacher apathy. I wonder why? Culture?
ReplyDeleteIn the latest test results, US student scores went up because more lower performing (third world countries) were added to the study. Its ridiculous, US students compared to third world countries, as if its going to change public opinion about education.
Thanks for the link to MAA FOCUS! I thought that was a useful article.
ReplyDeleteTo respond to Anonymous, "the MAA" has no position on this. Many members of MAA do, and that includes the (elected!) officials, of course. But there is no official position. The MAA's job is to focus on collegiate mathematics, so it has avoided taking a stand on mathematics teaching in the schools.
Supposing that you were the editor of MAA Focus - has it ever dawned on the MAA Leadership that not having a position on reform curriculum is in fact taking a position.
ReplyDeleteIf MAA members are sufficiently alarmed that the quality of their students had been substantially diminishing over time, than hadn't they better do something!? If you and your staff are even entertaining the notion that "calculus didactic" will help educate US students, then I think we should continue our lampooning.
The MAA is conveniently overlooking a serious problem - the elementary and secondary programs are using terrible textbooks.