Poor Math Textbooks.In a rigorous analysis of 12 middle school mathematics textbooks by the American Association for the Advancement of Science American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), private organization devoted to furthering the work of scientists and improving the effectiveness of science in the promotion of human welfare. , only four recently published series received high ratings, while the other more well-established textbooks were rated as unsatisfactory. The analysis, part of Project 2061, AAAS' long-term math and science education reform initiative, found that no popular commercial textbooks were among the best rated. The study also found: * The best series contains both in-depth mathematics content and excellent instructional support; * Most textbooks are inconsistent and often weak in their coverage of conceptual benchmarks in mathematics as well as in instructional support for students and teachers; * Most textbooks do a satisfactory job on number and geometry geometry [Gr.,=earth measuring], branch of mathematics concerned with the properties of and relationships between points, lines, planes, and figures and with generalizations of these concepts. skills; and * Many textbooks provide little development in sophistication so·phis·ti·cate v. so·phis·ti·cat·ed, so·phis·ti·cat·ing, so·phis·ti·cates v.tr. 1. To cause to become less natural, especially to make less naive and more worldly. 2. of mathematical ideas from grades 6 to 8. The study evaluated textbooks on how likely they are to help students achieve six key learning goals from Project 2061's Benchmarks for Science Literacy science literacy A general term for the awareness a person or the public has of basic scientific facts, concepts, and theories . A summary of the rating of each of the 12 textbooks is available at the AAAS AAAS American Association for the Advancement of Science. Web site (project206l.aaas.org). |
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