Battleground Schools

This article is based primary on two categorizations of mathematics; the progressive and the conservative. Of particular note, the progressive stance was said to use mathematics as a method for posing questions as opposed to a method for answering them in a more conservative stand point. When the difference between these two stances on mathematics education was made I found it interesting that in more conservative methods there was mention of a focus on remaining in control of students and how perhaps this focus on using math as a mechanism to force compliance is one of the reasons people feel disdain toward the subject. For this reason, the article seems to show clear bias for a more progressive stance in mathematics education.

This is also illustrated further in the article with mention of religious and traditionalist groups valuing this more authoritarian view of mathematics. It is certainly interesting that people have a tendency to lean toward one stance on mathematics education based on their political views. Certainly we should hope curriculum and schools are non-secular and make an effort to remain neutral to any particular political movements, even the progressive ones. I think there is still a lot of work to be done to bring about critical thinking in students and let them make political decisions and affiliations for themselves. In mathematics education, in any case, more autonomy is being given to the teacher to use different mechanisms for teaching a very technical but also abstract subject.

Just as these standards have been doubted by many, I imagine the new BC curriculum might also have a bit of a difficult time becoming the standard. In any case, it seems to be a step in the right direction.

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