Math Stuff

Book excerpt: A must read for teachers of mathematics! The perrennial question, "When will I ever use this stuff," prompts a parent to look deeply into his son's math program. In his search for the scope and meaning of "stuff," he finds that the subject of math is totally unlike any other high school subject. Also apparent is that promoted reforms whether politically motivated, profit driven, or theoretically rooted in educational psychology, good or bad, generally have a poor long term success rate. The semi-fictional, often-humorous style of "Math Stuff" provides a multi-dimensional view of the diverse elements of reform that, to be effective, must be jointly addressed. Taking a cue from a good math teacher, the book does not give the answers but rather suggests what to think about while determining them.