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Mathematically Incorrect
Here’s a fascinating explanation of the reasons behind United States’ and Canada’s disappointing performances on the mathematics portion of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Written by Sandra Stotsky, who was a member of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel formed by the executive order of the president of the US, the article speaks to the intensity of the math wars raging in North America to this day. Although Professor Stotsky speaks in terms of only the United States, with special reference to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), her story applies equally to Canada - since our teaching methods and math textbooks follow the NCTM precepts closely.
Since Singapore students placed first on the 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007 TIMSS, parents and teachers who seek a better way to teach math would do well to investigate the Singapore Math materials, inexpensive English-language workbooks and teachers’ guides that deliver a rigorous sequential math curriculum, including lots of practice.