Comments on: Mathematics Education: Being Outwitted by Stupidity

By: Barry Garelick

Barry Garelick — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 22:14:41 +0000

Donna,

Thanks for your comment. I am aware of the history of Everyday math as well as the petition by the 200 math experts. I had similar problems with my daughter. See http://educationnext.org/anamazeingapproachtomath/

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 04:02:38 +0000

WOW! So glad to see the awakening to this failing math. Four years ago I approached the principal about my concerns regarding Everyday Math. I was given the sales pitch on how wonderful it is. When my daughter received an A- on her 5th grade report card, I was elated. A few weeks later we started homeschooling ( due to medical issues). Boy was I surprised to find out she couldn’t do 3rd grade math. We are now into our 3rd yr of homeschooling, using traditional math lessons. Her math comprehension has greatly improved. Barry, not sure if your aware of this, but Everyday Math was developed as an experimental math out of Chicago University by “educational specialists”, not math specialists. Furthermore, over 200 math experts across the nation petitioned then Sec. of Education Riley, stating that this method of math would be detrimental to teach. The Sec. ignored this petition and endorsed this confusing curriculum.www.mathmaticallycorrect.com/riley/ht

By: suraj poudel

suraj poudel — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 01:56:50 +0000

when i was in grade 1, 2, 3 I like maths very much because it was very easiest subject at that time but when go up slowly and slowly maths subject became harder and harder. so, math subject become boring subject and i give interest in economics now i like economics very much.

By: Sheila Gromer

Sheila Gromer — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:15:33 +0000

While the opinions expressed in the article do have merit, some of these comments are disturbing. A connection between understanding and skills is vital to mathematics education. Learning the processes and then understanding why the processes are being completed is the way I would teach.

I don’t agree with the comments suggesting that parents should not have to/need to help their children with any skills in math or other academics. I have heard before that reading to your child is the number one activity you can do to further a young child’s reading ability. Should we not engage in the same practices for math? Plenty of parents count with their children. Can we not continue by adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing with our children?

By: Julie Krammer

Julie Krammer — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:32:38 +0000

Barry, this article is great! As a mother, I am constantly seeking new ways to teach my kids math. I recently started my kids on a program called Brainetics (www.brainetics.com) – and have found so many different ways to make math fun and, more importantly, keep contributing to my children’s education. Keep up the good work!

By: » Post Topic » Mathematics Education: perhaps going back to old and tried approaches will solve most of our current problems?

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:37:31 +0000

[...] Read the whole article here. [...]

By: Barry Garelick

Barry Garelick — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:38:23 +0000

Interesting article in the Atlantic proposed reforms for special ed. One recommendation underscores the main idea in my article “Outwitted by Stupidity”:

.:•Focus on improving regular education for all students. The better that regular education is, the fewer students need to be identified for special education services. When developing inclusive programs, schools should base them on effective teaching practices that improve educational outcomes for both students with disabilities and regular education students. As part of this mission, align IDEA and NCLB to end confusion.”

Found here: http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/04/4-common-sense-proposals-for-special-education-reform/256435/

By: Math Education Article « Mr. Crader's Blog

Math Education Article « Mr. Crader's Blog — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:59:43 +0000

[...] out this link: http://www.educationnews.org/education-policy-and-politics/barry-garelick-math-education-being-outwi…. It will take you to an interesting article about one man’s thought on math education today. [...]

By: See it my way.

See it my way. — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:47:47 +0000

[...] In a well-publicized paper that addressed why some students were not learning to read, Reid Lyon (2001) concluded that children from disadvantaged backgrounds where early childhood education was not available failed to read because they did not receive effective instruction in the early grades. Many of these children then required special education services to make up for this early failure in reading instruction, which were by and large instruction in phonics as the means of decoding. Some of these students had no specific learning disability other than lack of access to effective instruction. These findings are significant because a similar dynamic is at play in math education: the effective treatment for many students who would otherwise be labeled learning disabled is also the effective preventative measure. … http://www.educationnews.org/education-policy-and-politics/barry-garelick-math-education-being-outwi… [...]

By: Barry Garelick

Barry Garelick — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:18:37 +0000

Note: I posted the above comment before adding the following: The first two paragraphs were quotes from a paper written by Laurie Rogers, author of “Betrayed: How the Education Establishment Has Betrayed America”.