Critics of ‘Fuzzy’ Methods
Cheer Educators’ Findings;Drills Without Calculators
The nation’s math teachers, on the front lines of a 17-year curriculum war, are getting some new marching orders: Make sure students learn the basics.
In a report to be released today, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, which represents 100,000 educators from prekindergarten through college, will give ammunition to traditionalists who believe schools should focus heavily and early on teaching such fundamentals as multiplication tables and long division.
The council’s advice is striking because in 1989 it touched off the so-called math wars by promoting open-ended problem solving over drilling. Back then, it recommended that students as young as those in kindergarten use calculators in class.
New Report Urges Return to Basics In Teaching Math – WSJ.com
Finally getting around to blogging this article from 9/12/06 WSJ – joi
Blogged with Flock
Joi Podgorny 