Mathematics Education Is Mostly Marketing Of An Inferior Product

Gauss Is Dead. So Are His Ideas In The Modern Mathematics Classroom

Mathematics education is a monopoly. I would even say it’s a bit of Ponzi scheme. I can say all these things comfortably because the current K to 12 mathematics education — save for some exceptional schools — are mired in peddling sub-standard mathematics.

And, worse, passing it off as anything but that. It’s beyond “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. At least he didn’t dupe others into strutting around naked.

I am not harsh in referring to mathematics education as a rigged system, designed somewhat intentionally to rip off students and parents as to the quality of the mathematics that is sold.

I am also over 20 years late from saying all this.

Cheats.

Mathematics education trumpets mathematical literacy. Great. They champion factual, procedural, and conceptual fluency. Wonderful.

You know what is the best place to find all that — braided AND coloured with math history — number theory.

And ironically — sadly — it’s something that could be installed in early grades, but isn’t.

Why We Need To Teach Number Theory In Math Education

The “Perfect” Math Lesson: What 6 Year Old Kids Taught This High School Teacher

The complete absence of number theory is tragic at a King Lear level.

Most kids hate math because it’s boring. Damn straight.

4 x 7 = ?

Almost all classroom discussion of that question would stop at “28”. Time to go onto the next inert math fact. That’s the crux of mathematics education.

Number theory would tell you there is far, far more going on, lacing so many other mathematical concepts we want kids to know.

Mathematics education. You’re simply a cheater and a notable accomplice in the crime of not giving students — and teachers — a richer mathematical experience.

You could do better. You choose not to…