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Ways to Reverse the Decline in Math Skills Ways to Reverse the Decline in Math Skills
(about 5 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Testing Reveals Alarming Drop in Math Skills” (front page, Oct. 24):Re “Testing Reveals Alarming Drop in Math Skills” (front page, Oct. 24):
At this critical time when there is a dramatic drop in math skills combined with a shortage of qualified mathematics teachers, creative measures must be taken to address the crisis.At this critical time when there is a dramatic drop in math skills combined with a shortage of qualified mathematics teachers, creative measures must be taken to address the crisis.
One method rarely if ever mentioned in the media is for mathematics teachers to recruit their high school seniors to enter their noble and rewarding profession.One method rarely if ever mentioned in the media is for mathematics teachers to recruit their high school seniors to enter their noble and rewarding profession.
In addition, funding for beginning college students who join a mathematics education program would incentivize students, and enrollment in such programs would increase.In addition, funding for beginning college students who join a mathematics education program would incentivize students, and enrollment in such programs would increase.
We know this from experience with a four-year scholarship program at our college, where our enrollment increased fivefold and now our graduates consistently recruit students to become mathematics teachers.We know this from experience with a four-year scholarship program at our college, where our enrollment increased fivefold and now our graduates consistently recruit students to become mathematics teachers.
Nothing could make a student want to become a mathematics teacher more than having one who is not only passionate about what they do but also speaks about their passion with their students and encourages them to join them in their mission to help students learn mathematics.Nothing could make a student want to become a mathematics teacher more than having one who is not only passionate about what they do but also speaks about their passion with their students and encourages them to join them in their mission to help students learn mathematics.
Alice F. ArtztQueensThe writer is a professor of mathematics education at Queens College, CUNY.Alice F. ArtztQueensThe writer is a professor of mathematics education at Queens College, CUNY.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
The latest set of National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, released last week, joins a cascade of sobering data about math skills in the U.S.The latest set of National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, released last week, joins a cascade of sobering data about math skills in the U.S.
The math falloff probably comes as no surprise to educators, but for many parents, it’s shocking. According to new research, 80 percent of parents believe that their child is at grade level in math. As the data shows, kids are nowhere near that.The math falloff probably comes as no surprise to educators, but for many parents, it’s shocking. According to new research, 80 percent of parents believe that their child is at grade level in math. As the data shows, kids are nowhere near that.
Solving this problem starts at home. Studies show that when parents spend a short time every day doing math with their children, that leads to increased achievement at school. Yet countless social media posts portray parents and kids in tears over math homework and the “new” methods.Solving this problem starts at home. Studies show that when parents spend a short time every day doing math with their children, that leads to increased achievement at school. Yet countless social media posts portray parents and kids in tears over math homework and the “new” methods.
We need to help parents move beyond their own math hesitancy and value numeracy as highly as literacy. Parents can take advantage of online resources to relearn elementary school math, the foundation for skills that follow.We need to help parents move beyond their own math hesitancy and value numeracy as highly as literacy. Parents can take advantage of online resources to relearn elementary school math, the foundation for skills that follow.
Parents can be math heroes for their kids. Only then will we close this generation-wide skills gap.Parents can be math heroes for their kids. Only then will we close this generation-wide skills gap.
Laura OverdeckShort Hills, N.J.The writer is the founder and president of Bedtime Math, a nonprofit.Laura OverdeckShort Hills, N.J.The writer is the founder and president of Bedtime Math, a nonprofit.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “They Made Each Minute Count to Avert Pandemic Dip in Math” (front page, Oct. 16):Re “They Made Each Minute Count to Avert Pandemic Dip in Math” (front page, Oct. 16):
I am a fourth-grade teacher, and I am exhausted by attempts to find the secret of student progress. People believe that if only we could find the secret magic formula for success and every teacher followed it with fidelity, all of our children would be above average.I am a fourth-grade teacher, and I am exhausted by attempts to find the secret of student progress. People believe that if only we could find the secret magic formula for success and every teacher followed it with fidelity, all of our children would be above average.
Different kids learn best in different ways and different environments. Kids are people!Different kids learn best in different ways and different environments. Kids are people!
Some thrive in the regimented system described at Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Meriden, Conn., and that’s why they made a little bit of progress overall. Those kids are stimulated by jumping from task to task in a predictable schedule. Other kids learn best when they immerse in one task at a time, pushing that task to its limit before going to the next task.Some thrive in the regimented system described at Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Meriden, Conn., and that’s why they made a little bit of progress overall. Those kids are stimulated by jumping from task to task in a predictable schedule. Other kids learn best when they immerse in one task at a time, pushing that task to its limit before going to the next task.
I bet that if schools like Franklin Elementary allowed a variety of styles for math teaching, with the requirement that all kids learn the same material, are monitored regularly and take the same final tests, and placed children in classes that best accommodated the learning styles recognized by previous teachers (where available), they would see even more progress.I bet that if schools like Franklin Elementary allowed a variety of styles for math teaching, with the requirement that all kids learn the same material, are monitored regularly and take the same final tests, and placed children in classes that best accommodated the learning styles recognized by previous teachers (where available), they would see even more progress.
Janis MichaelEvanston, Ill.Janis MichaelEvanston, Ill.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Changing the culture of a school — in this case, the way math is taught — is an exceedingly difficult task. I applaud the teachers for trying to teach math by giving the students the opportunity to develop their own ideas, through open-ended problems and small group discussions paving the way to making connections to the real world.Changing the culture of a school — in this case, the way math is taught — is an exceedingly difficult task. I applaud the teachers for trying to teach math by giving the students the opportunity to develop their own ideas, through open-ended problems and small group discussions paving the way to making connections to the real world.
The power of this approach is to have students feel confident in their ability to solve a math problem and use that ability when they are out of school.The power of this approach is to have students feel confident in their ability to solve a math problem and use that ability when they are out of school.
Susan TurkelBrooklynThe writer is an associate professor emeritus who taught mathematics education at Queens College, CUNY.Susan TurkelBrooklynThe writer is an associate professor emeritus who taught mathematics education at Queens College, CUNY.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Making Jokes and False Claims to Score Political Points” (Political Memo, Nov. 2):Re “Making Jokes and False Claims to Score Political Points” (Political Memo, Nov. 2):
The G.O.P. that I grew up with as a rational political party no longer exists.The G.O.P. that I grew up with as a rational political party no longer exists.
What rational adult with a moral compass would make jokes about an 82-year-old man being attacked by a demented right-wing person? Would retweet a picture of underwear and a hammer as a Halloween costume (as Donald Trump Jr. did) and think this is funny?What rational adult with a moral compass would make jokes about an 82-year-old man being attacked by a demented right-wing person? Would retweet a picture of underwear and a hammer as a Halloween costume (as Donald Trump Jr. did) and think this is funny?
If any of those mockers had their wife or husband attacked like this, they would not be so blasé and would be screaming for punishment.If any of those mockers had their wife or husband attacked like this, they would not be so blasé and would be screaming for punishment.
If they had said this on national TV 10 years ago, they would have been ostracized by their party and laughed off the public stage.If they had said this on national TV 10 years ago, they would have been ostracized by their party and laughed off the public stage.
Today they are rewarded for such obscene behavior. Their moral compass is broken and only points south.Today they are rewarded for such obscene behavior. Their moral compass is broken and only points south.
Ray BelongieFort Lauderdale, Fla.Ray BelongieFort Lauderdale, Fla.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Regarding Paul Krugman’s thoughtful examination of crime and the midterms (“Red Delusions About Purple Reality,” column, Oct. 25), I agree that voters should be concerned and should challenge failed responses.Regarding Paul Krugman’s thoughtful examination of crime and the midterms (“Red Delusions About Purple Reality,” column, Oct. 25), I agree that voters should be concerned and should challenge failed responses.
While official data does little to explain surges in violent crime, we have a powerful source for understanding and solving the crisis: crime victims. Unfortunately, data on victims’ experiences doesn’t drive headlines or policy the way crime stats and political attacks do. But if we listen to victims, we learn what’s not working and what should change.While official data does little to explain surges in violent crime, we have a powerful source for understanding and solving the crisis: crime victims. Unfortunately, data on victims’ experiences doesn’t drive headlines or policy the way crime stats and political attacks do. But if we listen to victims, we learn what’s not working and what should change.
My organization recently commissioned a national study of crime victims. Its startling conclusion: For the vast majority of victims, the justice system provides neither justice nor support.My organization recently commissioned a national study of crime victims. Its startling conclusion: For the vast majority of victims, the justice system provides neither justice nor support.
Four out of five victims who reported a crime to law enforcement said the crime was not solved; half described the experience as unhelpful. Ninety-six percent of violent crime victims did not receive victim compensation; nearly half who wanted to relocate for safety could not.Four out of five victims who reported a crime to law enforcement said the crime was not solved; half described the experience as unhelpful. Ninety-six percent of violent crime victims did not receive victim compensation; nearly half who wanted to relocate for safety could not.
Many victims don’t subscribe to the false logic of punishing our way to safety, preferring instead community-led violence prevention and crisis assistance.Many victims don’t subscribe to the false logic of punishing our way to safety, preferring instead community-led violence prevention and crisis assistance.
This should be a wake-up call. Rather than doubling down on failed policy, let’s listen to survivors and learn a better path for achieving public safety.This should be a wake-up call. Rather than doubling down on failed policy, let’s listen to survivors and learn a better path for achieving public safety.
Lenore AndersonOakland, Calif.The writer, a former prosecutor, is founder and president of the Alliance for Safety and Justice and author of “In Their Names: The Untold Story of Victims’ Rights, Mass Incarceration, and the Future of Public Safety.” Lenore AndersonOakland, Calif.The writer, a former prosecutor, is founder and president of the Alliance for Safety and Justice and author of “In Their Names: The Untold Story of Victims’ Rights, Mass Incarceration and the Future of Public Safety.”
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Frustrated With Polling? Pollsters Are, Too,” by Quoctrung Bui (Opinion, nytimes.com, Oct. 24):Re “Frustrated With Polling? Pollsters Are, Too,” by Quoctrung Bui (Opinion, nytimes.com, Oct. 24):
Polls are still remarkably accurate. On my political blog, we used public polling data to accurately predict 33 out of 35 Senate races in 2020 and 2021 (including both Georgia Senate races), so the polls can’t be that bad. But anything short of perfection appears to be unacceptable.Polls are still remarkably accurate. On my political blog, we used public polling data to accurately predict 33 out of 35 Senate races in 2020 and 2021 (including both Georgia Senate races), so the polls can’t be that bad. But anything short of perfection appears to be unacceptable.
Also, the main value of polls is not predicting elections, but helping volunteers and donors determine which elections are close enough to warrant spending their time and money. Without polls, such decisions would be made flying blind.Also, the main value of polls is not predicting elections, but helping volunteers and donors determine which elections are close enough to warrant spending their time and money. Without polls, such decisions would be made flying blind.
Thomas D. GardnerBedford, N.Y.Thomas D. GardnerBedford, N.Y.