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Want equity? Teach more math, not less
As a math teacher in the early 2000s, Adrian Mims saw few Black and Hispanic students succeeding in Brooklin (MA) High School's honors...

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 10, 20242 min read


Anxious about math? Learn your times tables and it won't seem so scary
Memorizing times tables has returned to Virginia's Standards of Learning, after a six-year exile, writes Todd Truitt. But he fears...

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 10, 20241 min read


It's possible to get into Harvard without basic algebra skills
Harvard has added an introductory math course for students who are weak on basic algebra.

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 10, 20241 min read


El Paso puts all students on the path to 8th-grade algebra
Students need to believe they can be "math people," writes Lance Barasch, who teaches algebra at the School of Science and Engineering...

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 30, 20242 min read


Discovering math: How do you know 75% is more than 50%?
I remember when "the new math" was new. It was supposed to teach kids to understand math, not just go through the motions. I'd just...

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 29, 20242 min read


The solution to apathy is to help students learn
Learning is motivating , writes math teacher Dylan Kane on Five Twelve Thirteen. Many schools are modifying the curriculum to cater to...

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 29, 20241 min read


It's great if kids like math, but can they do math?
K-8 students will "manipulate shapes, animals and algebraic formulas to build foundational understanding of math" on a new math platform...

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 20, 20242 min read


'Mad minutes' don't cause math anxiety -- and kids learn more
New research shows timed math tests don't worsen math anxiety.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 9, 20242 min read


'Locking in' learning loss: Math grades didn't return to pre-pandemic normal
Grade inflation soared when learning went remote, writes Amber Northern. Lax requirements to turn in work, fewer graded assignments, and...

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 6, 20241 min read


NYC mandates 'Illustrative Math'
New York City high schools are adopting the same algebra curriculum in hopes of closing "stark racial disparities" in math achievement,...

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 25, 20242 min read


Sold a story problem: Start simple, build mastery, says Jump Math founder
Jamal and Maria don't have any apples. Aidan has three Fujis from the supermarket and Olivia has five Honeycrisps from Trader Joe's....

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 4, 20242 min read


You may already be a loser!
American kids have too much self-esteem, argues Bill Maher.

Joanne Jacobs
May 25, 20241 min read


Ethnomath: Will kids learn more math if it's culturally relevant?
In an attempt to make math "more engaging and inclusive," some teachers are teaching what's called ethnomathematics, writes Hechinger's...

Joanne Jacobs
May 23, 20242 min read


Deep, rich math: Is it chocolate cake every day?
Students should learn "foundational concepts" in math "deeply and conceptually" through engaging, "rich" tasks, write Jo Boaer and Cole...

Joanne Jacobs
May 23, 20242 min read


'Balderdash'
Brian Conrad, a math professor and director of undergraduate math education at Stanford, is guilty of "academic and professional...

Joanne Jacobs
May 7, 20242 min read


It's 'MATH-ish' -- but is it math?
Stanford will not investigate a complaint accusing Education Professor Jo Boaler of “reckless disregard for accuracy” by misrepresenting...

Joanne Jacobs
May 7, 20243 min read


Kids can learn a lot more math -- and have fun -- in kindergarten
Kindergarten math may be too easy, writes Holley Korbey for the Hechinger Report. The focus is on reading. Math expectations are low. In...

Joanne Jacobs
May 6, 20241 min read


DIY math: Many high school teachers rewrite the curriculum
Many teachers are creating -- or downloading -- their own math materials, according to a recent survey, writes Hechinger's Jill Barshay....

Joanne Jacobs
May 6, 20241 min read


Mathalicious: 'Out with negative numbers, in with positive feelings'
Numbers, multiplication and "right" answers are obsolete, 22nd-century-skills guru Paul Banksley tells Rick Hess. They're "not...

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 12, 20242 min read


Practice works for football -- and math
How do you get to Carnegie Hall -- or a football championship? Practice, right? The same applies to learning math, writes Holly Korbey on...

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 1, 20241 min read
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