A Parent's Guide to Understanding Math Education in Today's Schools

Mathematics education in the schools today often looks quite different to parents than what they remember from their past schooling. Emphasis has shifted away from pencil/paper arithmetic and drill, to mental arithmetic and a deep understanding of number and operation as a foundation for algebra. As a result of new standards, children today are expected to write mathematical arguments, choose appropriate models, analyze patterns, and solve problems. Some parents may be skeptical of the changes and create difficulties for schools trying to reform. Pressure from these parents who are upset may lead a school to abandon reform efforts to meet the new standards. Other parents are supportive of the changes but often feel inadequately prepared to help their children at home. Many even suffer from math anxiety. This book is designed to provide information to parents about the changes and why they have come about. Secondly, it provides much information about what parents can do at home to help their children be successful, including a section on mental computation and its importance in today's world dominated by handheld digital devices. The book and related DVD can also be beneficial to the home schooling market.

The authors have been involved in math education for over 20 years. Cathrine Kellison was the president and CEO of Roseville Video. Through Roseville Video, Cathrine created dozens of film pieces including a special on the history of television for the Library of Congress, now on permanent exhibit. Her work has been recognized with top industry awards: Chicago Film Festivals' Gold Hugo award, the Hollywood Radio and Television Society, along with two Monitor awards, a Clio nomination, and an Outstanding Achievement award from Writers Guild of America. For over ten years, she served as an active member of six public education committees in New York City, including the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Committee. She authored two textbooks, and co-authored five others that are used by teachers, counselors, and parents in 14 countries. Cathrine was also an Adjunct professor at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts from 1995 until her death in 2009. Catherine Twomey Fosnot is the CEO of New Perspectives on Learning, LLC and the Founding Director of Mathematics in the City, a nationally recognized center for professional development at the City College of New York. She has authored and co-authored over 40 books and articles on mathematics education, most recently the Contexts for Learning Mathematics series (K-6) and the Young Mathematicians at Work series (K-8) with the accompanying professional development materials funded by NSF, published by Heinemann. She also serves as the senior content consultant for the award-winning internet math environment, DreamBox Learning (www.dreambox.com). The American Educational Research Association Special Interest Group on Constructivism has twice awarded her their "significant contribution" award. In 2005, she was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award from CCNY.