Kumon Math

Date: 3/24/96 15:52:58
From: Bruce Boyer
Subject: Kumon math

Do you know how I can find information on the Kumon method of
teaching mathematics?  It was developed by Mr. Toru Kumon of
Japan in 1958.  Mr. Kumon passed away about July 28, 1995.
The method is supposed to be used by about 1.6 million students
in Japan and an additional 500,000 more in the rest of the
world including 65,000 in the United States.  I am not having
any luck tracking down the program or anyone who knows how
I can find it.  I have not been able to find it through this
math finder.  Can you help?

Date: 3/24/96 at 23:54:54
From: Doctor Sarah
Subject: Re: Kumon math

Hi Bruce -

If you search for kumon math using the Web searcher Alta Vista
http://altavista.digital.com    you'll find a number of sites.
The main site is probably http://www.kumon.com/   .

Here's some information from Saint Mary's School in Orange,
Texas (U.S.A.), which has been "#1 in the United States,
Mexico and Canada for the school years 1993-1994 and 1994-1995."

   The Kumon math system was developed in Japan over 30
   years ago and is currently used in more than 18 countries.
   Kumon emphasizes individual self-learning and ensures mastery
   through repeated practice; 100% mastery of each level is
   necessary to proceed to the next level. The students are
   placed in a comfortable starting level based upon initial
   testing. They practice on a sequenced series of math
   worksheets, arranged in increasingly difficult lines, curves,
   and shapes of the numbers and lead up to more difficult
   levels of calculus and differential equations. Sessions are
   held for approximately 20 minutes daily (Pre-K-1st will be
   in two 10-minute sessions) and do not involve homework.

   Students who have used this program have experienced
   improved test and SAT scores. It is for every type of
   student--those who are average, below average, or gifted.
   Kumon is a tool that can help students excel in problem
   solving and team work. It does not take the place of the
   classroom math program where concepts are presented and
   expanded.

   For more information call:

   1-201-928-0444 for the Kumon Headquarters of North America
   1-800-505-8666 for the Kumon Headquarters of Houston, Texas
..........................

Kumon math may be spread via franchise, so there are Kumon centers
in many areas of the world:

http://www.ifis.com/ifis/news/kumon.html   

Japanese Supplemental Math Training Program Franchise a Hit
in Canada

Date: July 17, 1995

The Kumon Educational Institute's private math program currently
has revenues of almost C$1 billion and has franchises in 30
countries. In Canada, the number of outlets has grown from one
in 1980 to 250. The estimated number of students in North
America by the year 2000 is 500,000, Canada accounting for about
a third of that number.

Customers of this franchise are usually middle-class parents
who want to see their children achieving academically. The
program is operated from worksheets of 19 different levels,
without electronic aid.
...........................

There's also an interview from Australia at "an Australian
centre where a Japanese technique for teaching basic mathematics
skills is proving very popular even though it is an after school
program and it costs money."  See

  http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/edurpt/estories/er081101.htm   
...........................

Here's a short bibliography from http://www.rahul.net/dehnbase/hold/    :

Chester E. Finn, Jr., "Made in Japan: Low-Tech Method for Math
   Success," Wall Street Journal, 12 July 1989.
Patricia L. Hollingsworth, "A Reformer's Retrogression: Speaking
   Out for Kumon Mathematics," Education Week, 27 November 1991.
Andrew Murr, "Samurai Math Gets a Tryout: 'Kumon Is Coming,"
   Newsweek, 10 April 1989.
Laurel Shaper Walters, "Math Mastery the Japanese Way," Christian
   Science Monitor, 11 February 1991.
Aleta Watson, "Kumon Method Adds Up: Popularity of Math Class
   from Japan Multiplies," San Jose Mercury News, 2 December 1990.

-Doctor Sarah, The Math Forum