Mathematically Correct
Mathematically Correct is a website created by educators, parents, mathematicians, and scientists who were concerned about the direction of reform mathematics curricula based on NCTM standards. Created in 1997, it was a frequently cited website in the so-called Math wars, and was actively updated until 2003.
Although Mathematically Correct had a national scope, much of its focus was on advocating against constructivist curricula in California. When California reversed course and adopted more traditional mathematics texts (2001 - 2002), Mathematically Correct changed its focus to reviewing the new text books. Convinced that the choices were adequate, the website went largely dormant.
Mathematically Correct maintained a large section of negative articles and reviews of constructivist math programs. Most of the programs were funded by the National Science Foundation. And nearly all of them were based on the 1989 Principles and Standards for School Mathematics created by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Many of the problems claimed by Mathematically Correct are that traditional methods and concepts are omitted, or replaced by entirely new terminology. In the case of the Core-Plus Mathematics Project, for example, reports are presented where students claim that they entered college entirely unprepared for college level courses. Other programs given poor ratings include Dale Seymour Publications (TERC) Investigations in Number, Data, and Space and Everyday Learning Everyday Mathematics.
Curricula with poor reviews from Mathematically Correct
- Addison-Wesley Secondary Math: An Integrated Approach: Focus on Algebra
- Core-Plus Mathematics Project
- Investigations in Numbers, Data, and Space
- Mathland
- NCTM standards Controversial 1989 standards document which de-emphasized teaching of one method to get one correct answer.
Curricula not judged deficient by Mathematically Correct
- Singapore Math Textbooks used in high-scoring nation of Singapore
- Saxon math Adds problems solving and multiple skills instead of rejecting instruction of basic skills
- Modern Curriculum Press Inexpensive simple textbook popular with homeschoolers.
State assessments aligned with standards judged deficient by Mathematically Correct
- CLAS defunct California test, based on NCTM standards
- WASL Washington State, based on NCTM standards
See also
- NYC HOLD active NY city group on mathematics reform
External links
- MathematicallyCorrect.com which is "devoted to the concerns raised by parents and scientists about the invasion of our schools by the New-New Math and the need to restore basic skills to math education".