John Mighton, founder of JUMP Math, has two books published on the theme that a Math mindset can make for a better life (All Things Being Equal: Why Math Is the Key to a Better World, and The End of Ignorance). He wrote an opinion piece in the globe and Mail — The right formula- why math is the key to a more equitable society. Jan 19, 2020. I wrote the following comment:
What bothers me — in this day and age of abundance and knowledge— is that people will still be stingy in education. Why do so-called professionals withhold proven methods?
How many parents, in all innocence and frankness, are put down when they question certain methods and are then silenced by: “Do you want your appendix removed by an amateur?”
I wonder if John Mighton ever heard this refrain in his earlier days.
It’s frustrating to hear that teachers continue to use approaches that are discredited and could even leave students stunted and deprived. That seems mean and unethical!
Do governments have to come in and legislate proven practice, as recently done in Texas about reading? During the next 3 years teachers will be trained in scientific reading instruction. [i.e., phonemic awareness/decoding skills/phonics] Teacher-prep colleges would lose their accreditation if their graduates do not demonstrate acceptable performance in the teaching of reading. https://www.educationviews.org/texas-at-forefront-of-teaching-phonics/
Indeed, similar attention should be paid to Math. Especially, if as Mighton claims, Math is the key to a better world. I look forward to reading his book .