Education Week – Justin Minkel 
Math instruction has gotten a little better since our time, but not much, and it varies by district, school, and even classroom to an alarming degree. In one 3rd grade classroom, students play math games, build things, and debate conjectures; right next door, the kids chant “rules” and dutifully fill in long columns of problems like underage accountants. When it comes to national attitudes about math, I am a prime example of what’s wrong with America. The last math class I took was in 10th grade (something about triangles, I think). The closest I veered toward math in college was a “Physics for Poets” class for non-majors about mind-blowing concepts involving relativity and chaos theory. (I liked everything about it except the math.) (more)