On 2 June 2008 Chris Green wrote: >Definition of wishful thinking: "We need a cultural revolution >to transform maths from geek to chic." >Still, an interesting article about the state of math(s) education >in Britain. > http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2283459,00.html
Quote from article: "Scores of less than 20% in the most difficult GCSE papers are regularly sufficient to gain a grade C, which was intended to be equivalent to a pass under its O-level predecessor. "The report concluded: 'Relevance has replaced rigour in the belief that this would make mathematics more accessible. At the same time, high-stakes assessment has reduced what should be a coherent discipline to 'pick 'n' mix', with pupils being trained to answer specific, shallow questions on a range of topics where marks can be most easily harvested.'" My comment from across the water: For decades successive governments and schoolteacher representatives have vehemently denied that standards of public mathematics examinations have fallen appreciably, despite complaints from employers and Universities that successful school students with good grades are unable to handle many basic mathematical tasks. Government and teaching profession each have a vested interest here - Governments in 'proving' how standards are rising, and teachers in demonstrating what a great job they are doing in raising standards - grade inflation and easier exams ensuring that year by year exam results are 'improving'. Another quote: "But Margaret Jones, honorary secretary of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, said the report was too backward-looking. Pass levels had always been variable and 'therefore are not a good comparative measure'." Read: "How dare people suggest that we teachers have not been doing a great job in raising educational standards." Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London http://www.esterson.org --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
