This paper provides a general overview of the forces that contributed to the rise and fall of the "new math" movement. It is noted that the movement developed as a response to certain problems in mathematics education; these problems remain to be solved. Some small-scale successes were achieved, from which we can learn. The answer to…

The effect of different secondary school mathematics syllabi on first-year performance in college-level mathematics was studied in an attempt to evaluate the syllabus change. Students with a modern mathematics background performed sigficantly better on most first-year units. A topic-by-topic analysis of results is included. (DT)

While group theory is an important part of mathematics, it should not be taught before college. The problems which led to its historical development are too difficult for the schools, and the use of simple problems invites misconceptions. There are very few easily stated physical applications. (SD)

THE PURPOSE OF THIS INTERIM UNIT IS TO ASSIST TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN MAKING THE TRANSITION TO A CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS PROGRAM FROM THE PRESENT PROGRAM. TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO MAKE THIS TRANSITION MORE EASILY, EACH UNIT IS BASED ON FAMILIAR CONCEPTS, DEVELOPS GRADUALLY, AND IS DIRECTED TOWARD CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES. CHILDREN SHOULD BE…

This investigation attempted to determine how pupil attitudes toward mathematics might be changed by introducing the new Laidlaw Series in the Moscow Elementary School during the academic year of 1965-66. The Kansas Arithmetic Inventory for Elementary Pupils was administered as a pretest prior to the introduction of the new text and a post-test…

The author defines individualization in instruction and suggests possible elements of individualization in mathematics classes. Some described elements include (1) individual responses to common assignments, (2) individual paths to the same objectives, (3) different objectives for different students, (4) different completion times for the same…

This bulletin presents an overview of mathematics education in the sixties, both in the United States and abroad, and suggests similar trends in the seventies. It examines the revolution in mathematics in the past 100 years which led to a unifying reorganization of the subject. Specifically, the authors examine the restructuring of algebra,…

Part 2 of Course I includes a study of set theory, transformations of the plane; properties of lines, planes, line segments and angles; elementary number theory; and rational numbers. Decimal fractions, ratio and proportion, percent, and presenting data using graphs are also presented. (FL)

Reports on the development of a course in modern mathematics for elementary school teachers. The subject matter for the course is concentrated on whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers. Ideas of logic and set theory are brought into the discussion incidently as needed for developing the number systems. Part 1 of the course is a brief essay…

This investigation sought to determine the effect of emphasizing mathematical structure in the acquisition of computational skills by seven- and eight-year-olds. The meaningful development-of-structure approach emphasized closure, commutativity, associativity, and the identity element of addition; the inverse relationship between addition and…

The following topics are discussed in this state handbook: (1) characteristics of a modern math program (structure, vocabulary, correctness); (2) teacher preparation (program descriptions and source material lists for inservice education and the CUPM recommendations for training math teachers); (3) initiating a modern program in mathematics in a…

This document is a report on an International Working Session on New Teaching Methods for School Mathematics held at Athens, Greece, which was called to discuss developments since the 1959 Royaumont Seminar on "New Thinking in School Mathematics." Chapter I deals with the curriculum and, in addition to talks on specific topics, includes complete…

Answers to questions which were asked after the author's various lectures in Australia are gathered here. Topics touched upon include "new" mathematics, unknown constants and free variables, propositional functions, linear algebra, arithmetic and geometry, and student assessment. (MN)

Considered are what discrete mathematics includes, some parallels and differences between new math and discrete mathematics (listed in a table), and lessons to be learned. A list of references is included. (MNS)