Math Forum

Re: [math-learn] middle school math problems

Ze'ev

Thanks for this. I now see where the claim that these problems are age-appropriate might have originated.

I agree.

Maybe a bit more comment is necessary.
I agree that most tests show a disappointing picture, but that just
scratches the surface.
On the

On Jan 18, 2013, at 4:09 PM, Ze'ev Wurman wrote:

> What our
> students are most

I am confused.

Regarding your first statement, that students are mostly not competent in mathematics, why did you have to do a study? All of

It is true that *some* of the problems require some level of
understanding of geometry, and that hyperbola is typically mentioned in
Algebra

It would be helpful to know some of the background that this test
assumes, that you believe most students don't have. Diagnostic testing I

Dennis

Thanks for this.

That seems to dovetail with my 'ancient' middle school teaching experiences. However, there has been

Sorry for the double link to the 2010 Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
8th Grade Mathematics Test.

The first one does not work.

Hello Ed,

My reason for assessing the sample problems as "advanced" is that their
level of difficulty and prerequisite knowledge for

Dennis

While I haven't taught middle school since 1995, some of these problems seem to call on knowledge which isn't in the repertoire