Article: National Math Panel Releases Long-Awaited Report

National Math Panel Releases Long-Awaited Report

The National Mathematics Advisory Panel has issued its report on how
mathematics should be taught in the early grades. ³The delivery system in
mathematics education‹the system that translates mathematical knowledge into
value and ability for the next generation‹is broken and must be fixed,² the
report says. ³This is not a conclusion about any single element of the
system. It is about how the many parts do not now work together to achieve a
result worthy of this country¹s values and ambitions.²

The report states that children need both automatic recall of math facts and
understanding of big concepts, which, writes USA Today reporter Greg Toppo,
declaws both sides in the decades-long "math wars." The report also
recommends that schools must streamline their math courses, focusing on "a
well-defined set of the most critical topics" from early elementary school
through middle school. It suggests what kids should know and when, and calls
for greater emphasis on fractions, algebra, and key "benchmark" skills in
early grades.

³This report represents the first comprehensive analysis of math education
to be based on sound science," said Secretary Spellings. "The National Math
Advisory Panel's findings and recommendations make very clear what must be
done to help our children succeed in math. We must teach number and math
concepts early, we must help students believe they can improve their math
skills and we must ensure they fully comprehend algebra concepts by the time
they graduate from high school. The Panel's extensive work will benefit
generations of American students."

USA Today's ³A Solution to How to Teach Math: Subtract² by Greg Toppo -
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-03-13-math-panel_N.htm

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics reaction to the report
http://www.nctm.org/news/content.aspx?id=14136

Education Week article on the Math Panel report (free registration required)
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/03/19/28math_ep.h27.html?tmp=92111100
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Department of Education release on the report
http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2008/03/03132008.html