Concern about students' math achievement is nothing new, and debates about the mathematical training of the nation's youth date back a century or more. In the early 20th century, American high-school students were starkly divided, with rigorous math courses restricted to a college-bound elite. At midcentury, the "new math" movement sought,…

The purpose of this Executive Position Paper is to examine the ways in which teachers learn to implement a new mathematics curriculum. The four case study teachers described in this paper were in their first and second year of teaching the "Investigations" curriculum. In the course of learning to teach with "Investigations," the teachers were…

THE CURRICULUM CONSISTS OF FOUR MAJOR TOPICS--EQUATIONS, FUNCTIONS, GRAPHING, AND SIGNED NUMBERS. EACH TOPIC CAN BE INITIATED INDEPENDENTLY AND BUILT CUMULATIVELY THROUGHOUT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADES. THE TOPICS ARE DEVELOPED LARGELY THROUGH GAMES AND/OR LESSONS DESIGNED TO HELP PUPILS DISCOVER "SECRET" PATTERNS OR DEVELOP TENTATIVE…

Describes why a traditional arithmetic curriculum is no longer appropriate. Also presents the rationale behind some of the newer methods of mathematics instruction in the elementary schools. (BD)

This paper asserts that the key to algebra reform is to integrate algebraic reasoning across all grades and all topics, to "algebrafy" school mathematics. The distinction is made between algebra "the institution" and algebra "the web of knowledge and skill," which is also clarified. Finally, suggestions are made as to how the educational community…

Examines the debris left in the wake of new mathematics and attempts to decide what is worth salvaging. (Author/RK)

The author investigates the meaning of the ambiguous term "new math" in the light of past developments in teaching theories, media, and content. (MN)

INVOLVING NINE SCHOOL SYSTEMS, THE PROJECT WAS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH EXPERIENCES THAT REFLECTED A VALID INTERPRETATION OF GOOD MATHEMATICAL THINKING, TO MAKE EXTENSIVE DATA COLLECTIONS TO DOCUMENT THE NATURE OF THE EXPERIENCES, TO ACHIEVE THE MOST EFFECTIVE POSSIBLE QUALITY CONTROL IN ASSURING THE RELEVANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EXPERIENCES,…

FOUR HYPOTHESES WERE CONSIDERED DURING THIS EVALUATION STUDY, NAMELY THAT THE TEACHING OF ARITHMETIC IN GRADES 4, 5, AND 6 BY THE MADISON PROJECT WILL--(1) PRODUCE AS GREAT AN INCREASE IN ACHIEVEMENT AS THE METHOD COMMONLY PRACTICED, (2) PRODUCE A GREATER INCREASE IN ALGEBRAIC APTITUDE, (3) PRODUCE A GREATER INTEREST IN MATHEMATICS, AND (4)…

THIS REPORT COVERS THE THIRD AND FOURTH YEARS OF THE 5-YEAR "MADISON PROJECT" DESIGNED TO DEMONSTRATE AN UPDATING PROCESS FOR THE SCHOOL MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION. THE ATTEMPT WAS NOT ONLY TO BROADEN THE OVERALL CURRICULUM FROM GRADES 2 THROUGH 8 BY ADDING PORTIONS AND ASPECTS OF SUCH DISCIPLINES AS ALGEBRA AND…

Based on the assumption that each student learns in a unique way, this paper outlines the factors to be considered before selecting the methods of instruction for particular mathematics courses and their students. The advantages and disadvantages of the lecture/textbook and question/answer method, individualized instruction, self-pacing,…