Math education - Why is US not solving this problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having taught math in 3 different countries, I wouldn't dismiss a poor curriculum as the cause.

The reason I dismiss it is the US has no national curriculum -- just a patchwork of inconsistent state curricula. If curriculum were the differentiating factor, then certain states or districts would clearly rise above others. Perhaps I am making a wrong assumption though?

Thanks for getting us back on topic. I look forward to your continued input.

[Anonymous]

Actually the U.S. is entering on a big, bold and underfunded experiment in 42 states called the Common Core State Standards. I think it will help if they actually fund it, but I am afraid it won't work fast enough or enough wackos on the left and right will object and it will go nowhere.

http://www.corestandards.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having taught math in 3 different countries, I wouldn't dismiss a poor curriculum as the cause.

The reason I dismiss it is the US has no national curriculum -- just a patchwork of inconsistent state curricula. If curriculum were the differentiating factor, then certain states or districts would clearly rise above others. Perhaps I am making a wrong assumption though?

Thanks for getting us back on topic. I look forward to your continued input.

I'm the PP you quote. From what I understand (and I don't have a lot of experience in the US, but I do have experience in a country which had a very good math curriculum) is that even though the states have different curricula, the actual teaching in schools tends to align due to the small number of big textbook producers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having taught math in 3 different countries, I wouldn't dismiss a poor curriculum as the cause.

The reason I dismiss it is the US has no national curriculum -- just a patchwork of inconsistent state curricula. If curriculum were the differentiating factor, then certain states or districts would clearly rise above others. Perhaps I am making a wrong assumption though?

Thanks for getting us back on topic. I look forward to your continued input.

The word of the experts is that all states had stinky curricula.

[Anonymous]

Econ doesn't count. And a STEM degree from an Ivy is not really an outstanding accomplishment. The real competition for STEM majors is at non-Ivies.

And I bet you attended (if college was in the works) a non-Ivy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Econ doesn't count. And a STEM degree from an Ivy is not really an outstanding accomplishment. The real competition for STEM majors is at non-Ivies.

And I bet you attended (if college was in the works) a non-Ivy.

not the pp, but i must say i agree. a chemical engineering degree from uc berkely is much more valuable than from yale.

[Anonymous]

And a chemical engineering degree from Georgia Tech trumps a history degree from both Yale and Berkeley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And a chemical engineering degree from Georgia Tech trumps a history degree from both Yale and Berkeley.

[Anonymous]

i once read that the phds in econ or physics are the brightest students.

[Anonymous]

When will people understand that PhDs usually means weird, dysfunctional, immature and/or egotistical.

[Anonymous]

And BA must mean bull .... artist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When will people understand that PhDs usually means weird, dysfunctional, immature and/or egotistical.

Wow...you are biased. How sad.

I wonder how many PhDs have made a positive impact in your and your loved ones' lives? I would say that probably quite a few have indirectly with their work in science, medicine, etc. I'm not saying you should bow down to anyone but at least realize that your attitude stinks and most of them don't deserve that stereotype.

Your attitude probably reflects a little bit of how our country got into this situation. Not only is intellectual talent not valued or nurtured but it is met with open hostility.

Do you think these people were born weird and dysfunctional? Did it develop during their childhood? Is it simply a result of the degree?

[Anonymous]

Perhaps we a simply a country of dumb jocks and wannabes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we a simply a country of dumb jocks and wannabes.

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups...

[Anonymous]

Yeh, the Tea Party or Tea baggers