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Posts about math.
Those Who Can’t… Teach?
May 8th, 2006 | 1 Comment
Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times published an editorial two Sundays ago (yes, I’m behind the times) about teacher qualifications. It is, unfortunately, hidden behind the beaded curtain that is TimesSelect, but thanks to the miracle of copyright infringement, you can read it in its entirety here.
The debate over teacher qualifications has been fueled by the No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates that all teachers be “highly qualified” by oh…about now. In order for teachers to be highly qualified, they must hold a bachelor’s degree, teacher certification, and “demonstrate competence in their subject area.”
I’m oversimplifying a bit here, but that’s the basic idea. Like everything else about No Child Left Behind, content is emphasized over pedagogy.
Book Review: Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics
May 8th, 2006 | 2 Comments
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Buy Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics on Amazon.com
I first learned of this book as an undergrad, when my research advisor at the time recommended I read it. Although I didn’t quite realize it at the time, reading this book was one of those life-changing moments for me. This book marks the beginning point of my career and shines a guiding beacon down the path I should follow. “This is the state of math education in the United States,” it says, “Do what you can to change it.”
If you follow math education news at all, the nature of Ma’s findings should not surprise you, although some of the specifics might. The math education uninitiated may be shocked and appalled at what she finds. The book contains an implicit indictment of the way elementary math teachers are trained and certified in the United States.
