Synopsis:
The Math Myth expands on Andrew Hacker's scrutiny of some widely held assumptions: that mathematics broadens our minds; that mastery of arcane concepts - cosine, logarithms, the area of a sphere - will be needed for most jobs; that the Common Core's single format should be required of every student. He worries that a frenzied emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is diverting resources from other pursuits and subverting the spirit of the country.
Review:
Praise for "The Math Myth"
Not one to decelerate, at 86 [Hacker] is doing nothing less than taking on the mathosphere.
"New York Times" Education Life
Hacker's accessible arguments offer plenty to think about and should serve as a clarion call to students, parents, and educators who decry the one-size-fits-all approach to schooling.
"Publishers Weekly" (starred review)
A lively argument against the assumption that if the United States is to stay competitive in a global economy, our students require advanced training in mathematics.
"Kirkus Reviews"
"The Math Myth" persuasively and satisfyingly debunks assertions about the practical value of requiring all students to master higher-level mathematicsand also points up the real harm caused by the Common Core standards and college-admission exams, which are constructed on those dubious claims. In a friendly and accessible style, Hacker, himself no slouch in terms of quantitative expertise, systematically demolishes every argument used to support the advanced-math-for-all position. His book is now my go-to resource on this topic.
Alfie Kohn, author of "Schooling Beyond Measure" and "The Homework Myth"
"The Math Myth" is an important book. Hacker demolishes some totally unrealistic policies that will prevent many students from ever receiving a high school diploma and leading useful lives.
Diane Ravitch, author of "Reign of Error" and "The Death and Life of the Great American School System"
"The Math Myth" vividly demonstrates that America s uncritical celebration of school mathematics does a disservice to students, institutions of learning, and the wide array of urgent public needs. His book is important and timelyand a great read.
Howard Gardner, Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and author of "The Unschooled Mind"
I love every single word and idea. Andrew Hacker may make some enemies, but truth is truth!
Debora Meier, author of "In Schools We Trust" and "The Power of Their Ideas"
Andrew Hacker exposes the inconvenient truth that the majority of college students will never need to use quadratic equations in their majors and even fewer will ever need them on the job. Hacker shows convincingly that our current math curriculum has become too much of a good thingan artificial barrier to the deeper learning at the heart of true vocations.
Anthony Carnevale, Director of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
Praise for "Mismatch"
"Few people writing today for a general audience can make more sense of numbers."
"The Wall Street Journal"
Praise for "Money"
"A political scientist doing with statistics what Fred Astaire did with hats, canes, and chairsHe doesn't crunch numbers, he makes them live and breathe."
"Newsweek"
Praise for "Two Nations"
"His insights into the racial wounds that refuse to close are searing, and urgently need to be addressed."
"Kirkus"
"Witty at times and searingly direct."
"Publishers Weekly"
Praise for "Higher Education?"
"Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus have written a lucid, passionate and wide-ranging book on the state of American higher education."
"The New York Times"
" --"The New York Times"
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