Date: Jun 17, 1996 10:44 PM
Author: Karl M. Bunday
Subject: Jamie Escalante Endorses Mathematically Correct Program

David L. Hanson wrote, quoting the Mathematically Correct organization's press 
release (which I also saw posted by Mike McKeown, whose posting I quote here):

> JAIME ESCALANTE ENDORSES MATHEMATICALLY CORRECT POSITION
> 
> Jaime Escalante, perhaps the best known mathematics educator in the United
> States, has joined 23 University Mathematics Professors, including two
> past presidents of the Mathematical Association of America, multiple high
> school science and math teachers, many scientists, and concerned parents
> in endorsing a significant proposal to increase student achievement in
> mathematics.

That's important news. Further proof that more than one "minority" group member wants 
better education to occur in America's government-operated schools--for ALL children, 
of whatever ethnic origin. Mr. Escalante is not alone.
 
> This document, ³A Program for Raising the Level of Student Achievement in
> Secondary School Mathematics², was written by Professor Frank Allen, a
> former President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
> (NCTM).  It contains descriptions of
> 
> €  how to establish clear standards of what we expect students to learn;
> 
> €  the learning situation in which these objective can be achieved;
> 
> €  the properties of an effective grading system;
> 
> €  the appropriate roles of teachers as expositors and students as learners.
> 
> In the absence of alternative documents, the National Council of Teachers
> of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards have become a guide to drastically
> altering mathematics education in the United States.  Many serious minded
> educators, mathematicians and parents are concerned about these changes
> but have lacked a clear alternative to the NCTM Standards.
> 
> Professor Allen¹s Proposal is designed as a specific statement of
> alternatives to the NCTM Standards.  The differences are both intellectual
> and stylistic as the document is both concise and clear.

Clear writing is generally a sign of clear thinking.
 
> In this context it is highly significant that Jaime Escalante would choose
> to endorse Professor Allen¹s Proposal.  Mr. Escalante entered the public
> consciousness as a result of the hit movie ³Stand and Deliver².  This film
> chronicled his success in teaching top quality mathematics to students at
> Garfield High School in Los Angeles.  Garfield is a school with high
> minority enrollment and, prior to Mr. Escalante¹s arrival, a record of
> substandard performance in mathematics.  Against this background Mr.
> Escalante established one of the strongest public high school math
> programs in the country with a large number of students taking calculus
> and passing the Advanced Placement Calculus exam, thereby earning college
> mathematics credit while still in high school.
> 
> Mr. Escalante has been, and continues to be, highly critical of the NCTM
> Standards.  He is quoted by Charles Sykes in, "Why American Children Feel
> Good about Themselves but Can't Read, Write, or Add,"  as saying, "Whoever
> wrote [the NCTM math standards] must be a physical education teacher."

More people who tout the NCTM "standards" should take note of this.

> Mr. Escalante¹s endorsement of Professor Allen¹s Proposal is a significant
> acknowledgment of the failure of the NCTM Standards and the need for clear
> alternatives.
> 
> ³A Program for Raising the Level of Student Achievement in Secondary
> School Mathematics² can be obtained from the 2+2=4, the Mathematically
> Correct Homepage, at
> 
> http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mathman/

Thanks for the useful Web reference.
 
> This address also contains significant other information about recent
> changes in mathematics education as well as information as to the way in
> which others can endorse Professor Allen¹s Proposal.

It's good to get some historical perspective on the latest "new and improved" 
proposals from schoolteacher interest groups like the NCTM.
-- 
Karl from Minnesota, bunda002@gold.tc.umn.edu
74222.1721@compuserve.com     cfmc77a@prodigy.com
http://198.83.19.39/School_is_dead/Learn_in_freedom.html
The official National Assessment of Educational Progress
shows educational REgress in the United States:
http://www.ed.gov/NCES/pubs/Rea94FL/Rea94FL.html