On March 13, 2008, the National Mathematics Advisory Panel presented its Final Report to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Education. Copies of these ground-breaking reports, rich with information for parents, teachers, policy makers, the research community, and others, are provided here.
I am downloading the reports, but I haven’t had time to read them yet. The panel included Dr. Hung-Hsi Wu and Dr. Liping Ma, however, so I have good hope that the report will emphasize that we must teach a solid, conceptual understanding of mathematics while at the same time making sure our students achieve mastery of basic arithmetic and algebra skills.
Boy does that comic ever feel jaded. I would feel quite proud to know my home state is above the national average. That whole concept takes my pride and sprinkles it with a heavy dusting of shame!
Jaded, cynical, and frustrated — that pretty much describes the “Weapons of Math Destruction” series of comics. But surely it is possible to improve. Others have taught math well, so there has to be a way. And when Americans know there is a way to do something, then sooner or later we will figure out how to do it, won’t we?