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Re: Re[2]: NCTM and TIMSS
Posted:
Apr 22, 1997 2:37 PM
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In the discussion about NCTM and TIMSS perhaps it would be helpful to
know that the groups that reported on the results for the U.S.--who
are not at all beholden to nor branches of NCTM-- write several times
in both Splintered Vision and Pursuing Excellence that the kind of
teaching called for in this country by those interested in reform and
suggested by the NCTM standards is NOT occurring in this country.
Rather it is occurring in other countries--in countries which scored
much higer than the U.S. If there is a message about the NCTM
Standards in the TIMSS results it is that the standards are NOT
clearly understood by U.S. teachers and that they are NOT being
implemented by the majority of U.S. teachers--at least at the 8th
grade level. Prof.
Part of the lack of understanding of the Standards comes from our
constantly being bombarded with new ideas and fads and more and more
and more. The TIMSS report says that this constant bombardment
results in our "hearing" messages such as the
NCTM Standards as just another thing to add. We often don't have the
time or energy to differentiate the important stuff from the usual
jabber.
TIMSS has extremely important messages for our country about
curriulum and instruction. It is silly to waste our time arguing over
whether or not the NCTM STandards are being indicted. The people
studying the results aren't doing this. Please take a look at the
findings and THEN think about what action we should take. And please
make an effort to read the reports--at least read "A Splintered
Vision." You can get to a TIMSS site through NCTM page or AFT page or
just ask your search engine to find the Third International
Mathematics and Science Study.
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