No End in Sight for the Battle over the Best Way to Teach Mathematics

March 7, 2008

Debate continues across the nation about the best ways to teach children mathematics. While one side would abandon old-fashioned methods, traditionalists contend it's the new approaches that cause children to fall behind the rest of the world in the basics of mathematics.

The argument is a century old challenge: how to ensure that the U.S. is able compete in a global economy. From schools in New Jersey to California and Washington State, a heated debate over the best way to teach mathematics is now spilling over onto the internet and YouTube asking the question "where's the math?"

With America's 15-year-olds ranking 24th in a recent world mathematics survey, the debate is between those who seek a traditional, back-to-basics approach, and those who believe “reform” mathematics programs are the answer.

"Three different textbooks: the traditional textbook, 12 x 25=300, like we all learned. But also new, reform methods to math, applying the basics but also using new patterns, new algorithms to come up with the same answer," said Tom Costello, a teacher in Ridgewood, NJ, which uses different approaches to teaching mathematics in its six elementary schools.

Critics contend that "fuzzy" math allows children to experiment to find an answer rather than the answer. "Reform math is math appreciation, it's math light. It's the lowest common denominator for someone," said Liz Gnall, a parent.

On the other hand, "Basics are fine, but you can't go back. The world has changed. The digital age is still being born," said Ridgewood Superintendent Tim Brennan.

In March, the President's National Mathematics Panel will recommend specific skills that students have to master in order to start algebra in the 8th or 9th grades. It will then be up to each state and school district to decide between a traditional or reform-math approach. Perhaps a combination of the two is the answer.

"All of our states have state guidelines, state frameworks for mathematics; they're frankly all over the map," said Francis Fennell of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

Source: TV 7&4, Traverse City, Michigan