The Math Factor Nancy Davies

Math as a Deciding Factor Overview At the Middle School Level Within the United States Globally

Percentage of Classroom Time Spent on Topics: Global Comparison Practicing Procedures Applying Concepts Investigating New Ways of Thinking Top-Performing Countries 41%15%44% United States96%4%Less than 1% Data from: Mintz, 2008

The Landscape Of middle school girls Of middle school girls and math

Trophy Traps Grade Inflation Acceleration Gifted and Talented

Comparison of “A” Averages & SAT Scores over Time 1966/ / Percentage of High School Graduates with “A” Averages 17.6%/ 19% 44.1%/ 48% Average of Verbal SAT Scores Average of Math SAT Scores Data from: Wells, 2006 Twenge, 2009

Short Cuts that Short Circuit

Strategies that Make a Difference Mindset (Dweck, 2006) Responses & Questions (Sadker, M., Sadker, D., Zittleman,K. R., 1994, 2009) Problems & Solutions: Expanding Both Writing Metacognition Working Spatially Cooperation, Individual Accountability, & Role Models Mental Math & Basic Facts Handling “I don’t know.” Praise Meaning Know the Learner

Learning from the World: What Exceptional Math Programs Have to Teach Us Curriculum Focus Teachers as Professionals Cultural Values

Summary Math is important. Success in math for females has powerful consequences in identity formation, educational opportunities, job options, and economic potential. Middle school math for girls sets the stage for long-term success. There are gender and brain influences that make a difference. There are strategies and curricular choices that can be directed for the benefit of girls. Math education in the United States needs intensive care. With focus and intention, we can make a difference. As our students go, our world goes.

Math: A Deciding Factor References Nancy W. Davies Ahtee, M., Lavonen, J. & Pehkonen, E. (2008). Reasons behind the Finnish success in science and mathematics. In Problems of the 21st century, 6, (pp 18-26). Bahru, J. (2005). Reform, Revolution and Paradigm Shifts in Mathematics Education. Conference of the Mathematics Education into the 21st Century Project. Malaysia. Dolan, E. (2009). Governor’s Biennial STEM Conference. Roanoke, Virginia. Duax, J.A. (2009). Depression, Anxiety, and Self-Esteem in Middle School Girls: A Review of the Literature and Findings from an Original Research Project. Cleveland, Ohio. Dweck, C.S. (2008). Boosting achievement with messages that motivate. Canadian Education Association. Dweck, C.S. (2006). Mindset. New York: Random House. Howard, P. (2006). Owner’s guide to the brain. (pp 41-43). Bard Publishing, Inc. Irvine, M. “Study Finds Students Confident.” Lampiselkä, J., Meri, M., Ahtee, M., Eloranta, V., & Pehkonen, E. (2007). In How Finns Learn Mathematics and Science? (eds. E., Pehkonen, M. Ahtee, & J. Lavonen), (pp 11-34). Rotterdam: SensePublishers. Leder, G. & Forgasz, H.(2008). Mathematics education: new perspectives on gender. ZDM Mathematics Ed 40 (pp ). Laurel School Center for Research on Girls. (2009). Biennial Conference. Shaker Heights, Ohio. Laurel School Center for Research on Girls. (2008). Developing a Growth Mindset. Laurel School: Shaker Heights, Ohio. Loveless, T. (2007). Introduction. In T. Loveless (Ed.) Lessons learned: what international assessments tell us about math achievement. (pp. 2-7). Brookings Institution Press. Mintz, A. (2008). The labor of learning: A study of the role of pain in education. (pp ). New York: Columbia University (Dissertation)The labor of learning: A study of the role of pain in education Mullis, I.V.S. & Martin, M.O. (2007). TIMSS in perspective: lessons learned from four decades of international mathematics assessments. In T. Loveless (Ed.) Lessons learned: what international assessments tell us about math achievement. (pp ). Brookings Institution Press. Sadker, D. & Sadker, M. (1994). Failing at fairness: how America’s schools cheat girls. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. Sadker, D. & Sadker, M. & Zittleman, K.R. (2009). Still failing at fairness: how gender bias cheats girls and boys in school and what we can do about it. New York: Scribner. Schmidt, W.H. & Houang, R.T. (2007). Lack of focus in the mathematics curriculum: symptom or cause?. In T. Loveless (Ed.) Lessons learned: what international assessments tell us about math achievement. (pp ). Brookings Institution Press. Spicer. Y. 2009). Governor’s Biennial STEM Conference. Roanoke, Virginia. Usiskin, Z. (2009). Governor’s Biennial STEM Conference. Roanoke, Virginia. Wells, S.M. (2006). The Declining Work Ethic of the American Engineering Student. ASEE Southeast Section Conference. Xu, B. & Lee, P. Y. (2009). The research on mathematics education in China. (p 489). Higher Educational Press and Springer Verlag.

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