Changing Mathematics
Education to Meet the Demands
of Our Networked World
Sam J. Zigrossi
Program Director
Charles A. Dana Center
The University of Texas at Austin
samz@mail.utexas.edu
www.utdanacenter.org
NCTM 2007
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin
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Purpose
To recruit leaders who will constructively
challenge what we are doing in
mathematics education and assist and
support in changing mathematics
education so more students can be
successful and be able to compete in the
21st century.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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My perspective is influenced by my
background
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Born in 1941 of Italian immigrants
First in the family to attend college
Taught high school math and physics
Earned MS in Educational Administration
(Algebra dissertation)
IBM career of 29 years (MBA)
• IBM’s interface with public education
Served on two state panels for Texas education
Adjunct professor in business school—25 years
Charles A. Dana Center for 10 years
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Format of the presentation
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Review each decade from 1940 to
2007
• Major events of the decade
• The drivers of the economy and society
• Character of education and math
teaching
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Some perspectives
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Events
The 1940s
• Ending of the war—”The Bomb”
• Women move into the workforce in large
numbers due to the war
• Thousands of servicemen return, get
educated, and fuel the greatest economic
growth period (GI Bill)
• Transistor invented
• Jackie Robinson becomes first black man to
play major league baseball
• Average annual salary: $2,992
• Labor force male:female ratio is 5:2
• A loaf of bread cost $0.14
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1940s
Drivers of the economy & society
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Industrialization increased from war effort
Number of college graduates increase from
returning servicemen
USA is the world’s largest manufacturing
engine
Exports and rebuilding of Europe
First computer ENIAC—first electronic calculator
(18,000 vacuum tubes)
Economy begins to grow in late 1940s
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1940s
Character of math teaching
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A select few took Algebra and higherlevel mathematics in high school
Mathematics teaching based on college
teaching pedagogy
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Textbook-driven, lecture, homework
Majority of students took “arithmetic”
courses
Education model based on the Industrial
Revolution model
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1950s
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Events
• Industrial revolution is maturing,
moving into the service economy
• Nuclear applications begin
• First cake mix introduced
• Drive-in movies
• Automobile opens up travel
• Digital programming of computers
• U.S. is greatest industrial nation—no other
country even comes close
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1950s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Integrated circuit invented
Transcontinental TV begins
McCarthy hearings; Communism
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a
public bus
Sputnik—First satellite orbits the earth
U.S. launches satellite Explorer I
Economic expansion is significant
Radio is prime information and entertainment
medium in the home
Salk vaccine developed to halt polio epidemic
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1950s
Character of mathematics teaching
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“Separate but Equal” education is challenged
Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, U.S. Supreme
Court. Decision: "separate educational facilities are
inherently unequal."
Math teaching still much the same as it was in the 1940s
 Higher-level math courses available only for the
brightest students. Traditional teaching—whole group.
Sputnik causes the country to focus on mathematics and
science education, many people have ideas about what to
change—a great amount of rhetoric.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1960s
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Events
• Vietnam war continues
• Civil Rights movement becomes a focal point
of society
• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• John Glenn orbits the earth 3 times
• NASA established
• TI handheld calculator: $2,500
• Bay of Pigs and Cuban missile crisis
• JFK assassinated
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1960s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Space research and engineering
Apollo program
Building of U.S. infrastructure
Consumer products
• TV in most homes
Most products American-made
Computers making significant inroads into business and
government—IBM, HP, Cray, Apple, space program
TV is main medium in home for entertainment and news
(3 to 5 channels)
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1960s
Character of mathematics teaching
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“New Math” introduced into schools via
National Science Foundation. Focus on
concepts, set theory, functions, various
number bases and diagrams
Public and teachers rebel and go back to
traditional teaching of mathematics
Programmed instruction introduced
Segregation still common
Much rhetoric about improving schools
Integration begins in public schools
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1970s
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Events
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Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision
School-sponsored prayer unconstitutional
Impeachment proceedings for President Nixon
Vietnam War divides the country
Affirmative action becomes a key
consideration for business in hiring
• “Glass ceiling” concept is popularized
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1970s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Travel—jumbo jets
Genetic engineering
First “test tube” baby born
Intel’s first microprocessor
Entertainment—introduction of VCRs
First Star Wars movie. The Godfather, Jaws,
American Graffiti, Grease
Significant stock market decline
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1970s
Character of mathematics teaching
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School integration is in full swing.
The federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act is
passed (1975; now called Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act—IDEA).
Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) becomes part of
business training—that is, the next phase of programmed
instruction.
Relatively little has changed in mathematics teaching since
the 1960s—some believe education lost the impetus of the
1960s.
There is significant rhetoric about public education.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1980s
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Events
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Business hostile takeovers and mega-mergers
AIDS becomes a significant issue.
Berlin Wall comes down.
Buying on credit becomes the norm.
Rescue mission to Iran fails.
First Space Shuttle—Columbia—orbits Earth.
U. S. Hockey Team beats Soviet Union team.
Sandra Day O’Connor appointed to U.S.
Supreme Court.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1980s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Personal computers become legitimate
tools in business.
“Microsoft Disk Operating System (MSDOS)” introduced by IBM.
Imports gaining large market share in
automobiles and consumer electronics.
Inflation 13+%—Prime rate 21%
Internet opens up to selected groups
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1980s
Character of education
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A Nation at Risk report: “If an unfriendly
foreign power had attempted to impose on
America the mediocre educational
performance that exists today, we might
well have viewed it as an act of war. As it
stands, we have allowed this to happen to
ourselves. We have even squandered the gains
in student achievement made in the wake of the
Sputnik challenge. Moreover, we have
dismantled essential support systems which
helped make those gains possible. We have, in
effect, been committing an act of unthinking,
unilateral educational disarmament.”
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1980s
Character of mathematics teaching
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Reform is beginning in many states
• Standards, state assessments, accountability
Stand and Deliver—Jaime Escalante’s work at Garfield High
School
Significant rhetoric about public education
National Science Board report on precollege education in
math, science and technology—”The nation that
dramatically and boldly led the world into the age of
technology is failing to provide its own children with the
intellectual tools needed for the 21st century.”
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• We continue to lead due to our best students and our
universities.
• What is needed is a new set of “basics”—
communications, problem solving, technology literacy.
The teaching of mathematics in some states is beginning
to be based on a set of standards—pedagogy changes from
traditional modes.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
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Events
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Brady Bill—handgun control
Persian Gulf War
Social security, gun control, and health care
are significant issues
• Famous trials—Rodney King; O. J. Simpson
• Columbine High School shooting
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
Drivers of the economy and society
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World Wide Web grew from 2 million to 100 million users
(assimilation of computer technology begins).
Imports continue to make gains.
Out-sourcing of jobs
Importing skills—H1-B Visa program
Stock market decline
Cell phones becoming a “must” for everyone
Medical technology is racing, with many new applications
and popular use of CAT scans, artificial pacemakers, less
invasive surgeries—Physicians’ jobs and health care
change dramatically.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
Character of education
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The decade of brain research:
• Previous research—
research—cognition and behavior
• New research—
research—cognitive thinking styles, preference for
sense/senses, personality/emotional factors, environmental &
emotional factors, physiology/genetics, physical health, comfort
and developmental stages
• The brain is a malleable organ
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Governors’
Governors’ Education Summit—
Summit—The US will be first in math and science by
2000. (More rhetoric.)
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President Clinton:
"We know, purely and simply, that every single child must have
access to a computer, must understand it, must have access to
good software and good teachers and to the Internet, so that
every person will have the opportunity to make the most of his
or her own life." (More rhetoric.)
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
Character of mathematics teaching
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Standards-based curriculum becoming the norm
The “math wars”—Direct vs. conceptual; evolution
In Texas, the EEs are replaced by the TEKS and
the TAAS is introduced.
The teaching of math changes, with the
introduction of technology and the use of more
manipulatives.
Texas scores on NAEP—4th-graders are fifth in
the country; 8th-graders are in the middle; 11thgraders are in the lower third.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
Character of education
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83% of students graduate from high
school.
Distance education
Year-round school
Dual or concurrent credit
School-to-work and Tech Prep
Reforms taking place—standards-based
education, beginning in early grades
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
Character of mathematics teaching
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Majority of students taking Algebra I
and higher-level math courses.
Handheld calculators introduced in
significant numbers in schools.
Education ideology wars create
confusion among educators and
public.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 2000s
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Events
• Communications integration, common use of
cell phones, Internet, and digital TV
• Genetic engineering
• Fossil fuels demand is outstripping supply
• 9/11—war on terrorism
• $100 in 1940 is same as $1,322 today
• Average annual salary is $37,000, vs. $2,992
in 1940.
• Labor force male:female ratio is 1:1 vs. 5:2 in
1940.
• Loaf of bread costs $1.00, vs. $0.14 in 1940.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 2000s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Consumer spending is key to economy.
Housing sector is key element.
New communications technologies
Oil prices steadily increasing.
Social issues revolve around Social
Security, education, personal security,
and health care.
Iraq War and peacekeeping mission
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 2000s
Character of mathematics teaching
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Math teaching has not changed
much from the 1990s.
2003 task force on education
• U.S. 4th-graders competitive internationally
• U.S. 8th-graders lose 40 points and rate as
average
• U.S. 12th-graders are at the very bottom in
rankings
• More rhetoric.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 2000s
Character of mathematics teaching
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21st Century Summit: What
students need:
• Digital-age literacy
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Literacy in all
technologies
• Effective communications
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Inventive thinking
Problem solving
using tools
High productivity
Collaborate
Interactive
Social responsibility
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
Planning
Use of tools
Produce products
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Some perspectives
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Americans have wanted schools to serve
different and often contradictory purposes for
their own children.
• To socialize them to be obedient, yet to teach them to
be critical thinkers.
• To pass on the best academic knowledge that the past
has to offer, yet also to teach marketable and practical
skills.
• To cultivate cooperation, yet to teach students to
compete with one another in school and in later life.
• To stress basic skills, but also to encourage creativity
and higher-order thinking skills.
• To focus on academic “basics,” yet to permit a wide
range of choices in courses.
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Some perspectives
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How fast is technology moving?
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38 years for radio to get to 50 million users
13 years for TV to get to 50 million users
16 years for PCs to get to 50 million users
4 years for Internet to get to 50 million users
Life expectation has gone from 62 in
1940 to 82 for women by 2007.
Robots operating on humans today!!
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Some perspectives
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20th century had many education reforms:
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New American Schools
Accelerated Schools
Basic Education
Engaged Learning
Atlas
Success for All
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More Rhetoric!
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Major barriers:
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Essential Schools
America’s Choice
Direct Instruction
Purpose Centered
Co-NECT
????????????
In U.S., 3 million teachers, 50 million students
In Texas, 250,000 teachers, 4 million students
Governance
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Some perspectives
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In the 1940s, math teaching was based on
textbooks and chalkboards—the “Industrial
Model.”
In 2007, math teaching is based on ???
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Textbooks???
Chalkboards / whiteboards???
Technology???
Direct instruction???
Conceptual understanding???
Standards??????
What????????
Have we changed enough to reflect the changes
that occurred in society to meet society’s needs?
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I don’t think so.
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Some perspectives
Change
Society
Public Education
Time
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
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As a profession, we lack vision of
where we need to go. We are
victims of society, government,
unenlightened school leadership,
and OURSELVES!!
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
How do we start?????
 Start simple and then progress
to the complex.
 Let’s look at the research—
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The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
The essentials for improving student
achievement include:
• All students must have access to the same
viable curriculum in every
classroom—”guaranteed”
• High-yield instructional strategies have
significant effects on student achievement.
• Teachers must collaborate to strengthen
student achievement—we are all in this
together: let’s build a system!!
• State standards are the basics, not the goal;
go beyond the standards.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Conclusions
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Is our current Industrial Model of
Education what we need in the 21st
Century?
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NO!!!!
Let’s all start looking at new ways of
doing things. I believe you have many of
the answers, but need to have the
opportunity and responsibility to begin to
revolutionize the teaching of math.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
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Why do it?
• For our next generations of leaders,
workers, members of society
• To maintain our economic leadership
and way of life
• The next generation is our “kids” who
are in school now!!
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Future Trends
Technology
Health care
Education
Energy
Environment
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Changing Mathematics
Education to Meet the Demands
of Our Networked World
Sam J. Zigrossi
Program Director
Charles A. Dana Center
The University of Texas at Austin
samz@mail.utexas.edu
www.utdanacenter.org
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin
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