"The core issue is not what Ss lack. It is what institutions have failed to provide." It isn't just HS that's leaving Ss unprepared. Let's look at "whole math" in K-8 for the past 3 decades. the74million.org/article/why-... @toddtruitt.bsky.social @rastokke.bsky.social @sarahpowellphd.bsky.social

Why Students Reach College Underprepared for Math — And What to Do About It

Bland: Labeling students as “underprepared” is a choice — and it is time to be honest about who bears the cost of this choice.

the74million.org

@jemmaths.bsky.social

Greg Ashman@gregashman.bsky.social · 3mo ago

NEW POST Conceptual understanding is a myth Transfer is a better focus fillingthepail.substack.com/p/conceptual...

@rastokke.bsky.social

JUMP Math@jumpmath.bsky.social · 7mo ago

We're pleased to share that Dr. John Mighton has been invited to speak at the Great Moon Gathering (Feb. 19 & 20) in Timmins, ON. He'll be speaking about how to create equitable classrooms that engage and support every student, using evidence-based resources that align with the science of learning.

Of interest: www.help.senate.gov/rep/newsroom... @johnmighton.bsky.social

Chair Cassidy Launches Inquiry into Students’ Declining Math Scores, Preparedness for College | The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, sent an inquiry to...

help.senate.gov

@jillbarshay.bsky.social www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...

Do 'High Quality' Math Materials Add Up? (Opinion)

A veteran math teacher explains how he judges textbooks and programs.

edweek.org

"Ss need opportunities to work on rich, engaging tasks that support conceptual understanding..." forbes.com/sites/lindad... There are so many tropes in this article by Linda Darling-Hammond, I lost count. @mayak46.bsky.social @mrzachg.bsky.social @rastokke.bsky.social @johntomsett.bsky.social

It’s Time To Change The Math Calculus: How The US Can Finally Get Math Education Right

US students rank poorly in global math scores—outdated instruction is to blame. To prepare students for increasing complex modern times we must rethink how we teach math.

forbes.com

No thank you. @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @mrzachg.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @mmelockhart.bsky.social

@rastokke.bsky.social

Martin Robinson@trivium21c.bsky.social · last yr.

“growth mindset interventions targeted for school-age students, do not have much or any relevant impact in academic achievement. It is therefore not advisable for schools… to [implement]… growth mindset interventions for school-age students” bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Definitely! @mayak46.bsky.social @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @amandavande.bsky.social @nsachdeva.bsky.social

"In this well-researched book, author Rebecca Stobaugh shares how to build a culture of thinking that emphasizes essential 21st century skills -- from critical thinking and problem-solving to teamwork and creativity" No thanks. @rastokke.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social

An Equal Time Critique of Education in the Mid-50's: barrygarelick.substack.com/p/an-equal-t... @mayak46.bsky.social @paulkirschner.bsky.social @paulriccomini.bsky.social @amandavande.bsky.social @carlhendrick.substack.com @rscodding.bsky.social

An Equal-Time Critique of Education in the Mid-50's

(This appeared in “Math Education in the U.S.”)

barrygarelick.substack.com

"Built on Student–Centered, Rich Tasks'; Experience Math increases student engagement by leveraging rich tasks as the main driver of learning in each lesson." No thanks. www.savvas.com/solutions/ma... @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @mrzachg.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social

Seriously? @rastokke.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @amandavande.bsky.social @nathanielswain.bsky.social

"Racialized math teaching practices are systemic in elementary math classrooms" 1819news.com/news/item/na... When fundamental basics lose out to "concepts" the result is inequities; some families don't have access to tutors. @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @mrzachg.bsky.social

National Science Foundation cancels $343,789 grant to Alabama A&M to…

The National Science Foundation terminated a $343,789 federal grant last week sent to Alabama A&M in 2023 to study systemic racism in mathematics teacher…

1819news.com

I'm waiting for Understanding by Design meets Batman, so it's "Nope" for now. @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @tombennett71.bsky.social @amandavande.bsky.social @mrzachg.bsky.social @nathanielswain.bsky.social

"Hands-Down Conversations, an innovative discourse structure in which Ss' ideas and voices take the lead while Ts focus on listening and facilitating." Nope. @mrzachg.bsky.social @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @mmelockhart.bsky.social

"Teaching the standard algorithm first does not mean that it is taught w/o connection to the underlying principles that make it work." barrygarelick.substack.com/p/thoughts-o... @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @amandavande.bsky.social @efratfurst.bsky.social @mrzachg.bsky.social

Thoughts on Conceptual Understanding

In a previous post, I talked about different beliefs held by math teachers and others regarding when the standard algorithm for multi-digit addition and subtraction should be taught.

barrygarelick.substack.com

I'll be presenting with John Mighton at researchED in Toronto: Word Problems: Acquiring Algebraic Thinking @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @mikesully97.bsky.social @trivium21c.bsky.social @jillbarshay.bsky.social @tombennett71.bsky.social @tomloveless99.bsky.social

"Traditional Math" back in the top 100 of Amazon Best Sellers in Elementary Math: No. 77 vs Former NCTM Pres, Linda Gojak's Common Core Math Companion @rastokke.bsky.social @mrzachg.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @nsachdeva.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @toddtruitt.bsky.social

"David Shilkitus believes that math education should do more than just prepare Ss for tests—it should prepare them to think critically and solve problems in the real world." I think I've heard this before. northpennnow.com/news/2025/ap... @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social

David Shilkitus on the Art of Rigor: Making Challenging Math Concepts Accessible for Grades 3–8 | NorthPennNow

David Shilkitus explains that math education should do more than just prepare students for tests—it should prepare them to think critically and solve problems in the real world.

northpennnow.com

This post from 6 yrs ago still relevant today; comments are especially relevant. traditionalmath.wordpress.com/2019/11/26/h... @katharinebeals.bsky.social @rastokke.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @natwexler.bsky.social @amypento.bsky.social @mikesully97.bsky.social @nsachdeva.bsky.social

How much deeper understanding do students really need, Dept.

In a recent op-ed in the LA Times, Dan Willingham, a professor in the department of psychology at the University of Virginia, addresses a particular aspect of math education in the U.S.  Blaming po…

traditionalmath.wordpress.com

Reformer: If I hear/see someone use the phrase "discovery learning" in an educational context to bemoan teaching quality, I just cannot trust anything they say thereafter. Me: Especially if they're right? R: You're an idiot. @toddtruitt.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social

Our talk is on "Word Problems and Algebraic Thinking"; it covers how JUMP Math addresses how to teach students to solve word problems and bridge the gap between arithmetic and algebraic thinking. @mayak46.bsky.social @toddtruitt.bsky.social @nathanielswain.bsky.social @paulkirschner.bsky.social

Reformer: We celebrate critical thinking but measure procedural compliance. Me: Knowing what procedures to use requires reasoning, so wouldn't that be an appropriate proxy? R:You're an idiot. @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @toddtruitt.bsky.social @amypento.bsky.social

Reformer: We need to build environments where kids develop their agency, creativity, self-direction, and capacity to learn anything. Me: Right; teach math with explicit instruction, worked examples and scaffolded problems. R: You're an idiot. @mrzachg.bsky.social @rastokke.bsky.social

"A research-based model that integrates 7 essential competencies: conceptual and procedural integration, problem solving, logical reasoning, communication, tool use, pattern recognition, and student engagement." No thanks. @katharinebeals.bsky.social @rastokke.bsky.social @mikesully97.bsky.social

@sarahoberle.bsky.social @mrzachg.bsky.social

Barry Garelick@bg987.bsky.social · last yr.

"Stop telling me to find my “why” or calling me a superhero." Indeed. I would add "Stop telling me to snap my fingers in lieu of applause." Good article. thenext30years.substack.com/p/sarah-ober... @katharinebeals.bsky.social @mikesully97.bsky.social

"Stop telling me to find my “why” or calling me a superhero." Indeed. I would add "Stop telling me to snap my fingers in lieu of applause." Good article. thenext30years.substack.com/p/sarah-ober... @katharinebeals.bsky.social @mikesully97.bsky.social

Sarah Oberle: Adventures in Professional Development: A Teacher's Plea

An experienced teacher and ed leadership PhD weighs in on how to meaningfully improve professional development--and what it's currently lacking

thenext30years.substack.com

Not today thanks. @rastokke.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @mikesully97.bsky.social

Reformer: Humility and curiosity are sorely lacking in many areas of human concern. Me: So are the fundamentals of math which have long been missing in the name of conceptual understanding. R: You're an idiot. @katharinebeals.bsky.social @rastokke.bsky.social @toddtruitt.bsky.social