Transcript

CUPM report on the training of teachers of elementary school mathematicsAuthor(s): CLARENCE E. HARDGROVE and BERNARD JACOBSONSource: The Arithmetic Teacher, Vol. 11, No. 2 (February 1964), pp. 89-93Published by: National Council of Teachers of MathematicsStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41184903 .

Accessed: 12/06/2014 13:23

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected].

.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extendaccess to The Arithmetic Teacher.

http://www.jstor.org

This content downloaded from 62.122.76.54 on Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:23:57 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

CUPM report on the training of teachers of elementary school mathematics*

CLARENCE E. H AR DGR 0 VE Northern Illinois University BERNARD JACOBSON Franklin and Marshall College and formerly with CUPM

Both Professors Hardgrove and Jacobson are members of the Department of Mathematics at their respective schools.

A he committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (CUPM) is a committee of the Mathematical Associa- . tion of America. Operating under a grant from the National Science Foundation, it is charged with making studies of and recommending improvements in under- graduate mathematics curricula, thereby reflecting the basic concern of the Associa- tion for improving the content and teach- ing of college mathematics. Moreover, the Committee devotes its energies to reason- able efforts in attempting to effect the realization of its recommendations. A major portion of the work of CUPM is carried on by four Panels, one of which is the Panel on Teacher Training.

The Panel on Teacher Training is con- cerned with the improvement of the mathematical education of future teachers of mathematics. It is an action group which recommends revisions of mathe- matics teacher education curricula and works toward the realization of such re- visions. Further, it attempts to assist in the development of improved programs for the college mathematics education of those who plan to teach mathematics at any level.

For the purpose of discussing the prob- lems associated with establishing the cur-

* Adapted by permission from a report in The American Mathematics Monthly, LXX (October, 1963), 870-77.

February 1964

riculum suggested for elementary school teachers (Level I)t, the Panel held a series of ten conferences during the autumn of 1962. These conferences covered the fol- lowing states: Oklahoma, Florida, Michi- gan, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, Texas, and California.

Also during the academic year 1962-63 the Central Office of CUPM conducted a study of requirements and offerings of mathematics in the pre-service education programs for teachers in the elementary schools, A summary of current require- ments and conclusions of the ten Level I conferences of 1962 follow.

Current requirements

Programs in elementary education are offered in 906 colleges and universities. Of the 906 schools studied, 762 or 84.1 percent submitted usable responses. The results indicate that 22.4 percent of the respondents require no mathematics of prospective elementary school teachers, and 68.9 percent require the equivalent of four or fewer semester hours of mathematics. Table 1 reports the require- ments in terms of semester hours.

Especially significant is the fact that, of the colleges reporting, 55.6 percent offer

t For an abridged list of CUPM recommendations see Th» Arithmetic Teaches, VII (December, 1960), 421-25,

89

This content downloaded from 62.122.76.54 on Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:23:57 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

Table 1

Requirements in pre-service programs for elementary teachers

,7 , -, . , Number of colleges Number of colleges Number ,7 , of -, hours required

. , requiring mathematics requiring methods

0 171 194 1-2 46 272 3-4 308 271 5-6 200 21 7-8 17 0 9-10 10 0

11-12 7 2 13+ 3 2

Total 762 762

no mathematics courses specifically de- signed for prospective elementary school teachers. In many of the institutions, courses in elementary algebra or elemen- tary trigonometry are the only college mathematics courses available to those students.

Two hundred and seventy-six schools reported that they were presently in the process of considering a revision of re- quirements, and 456 schools reported that it might be possible to increase the re- quirements within the framework of their local programs. CUPM intends to restudy the colleges in those states in which Level I Conferences were held in order to ascer- tain the possible effect of the ten state conferences of 1962.

The ten Level I conferences

In general, each conference program in- cluded these activities: get-acquainted luncheon; general session with ideas pre- sented on the mathematics education of elementary school teachers and problems within a specific state; small group discus- sion of "Course Guides"; open meeting with reports of group discussions followed by general discussion; small group discus- sion on problems of implementation of "CUPM Recommendations' '; and a gen- eral meeting at which group reports were followed by an open discussion.

The following people took part in these programs (some participated in several): E. G. Begle, Marguerite Brydegaard,

90

Louise Combs, J. A. Colley, George Cun- ningham, Roy Dubisch, Mary Folsom, Helen Garstens, W. T. Guy, Jr., Clarence Hardgrove, Bernard Jacobson, P. S. Jones, Donovan Johnson, J. T. Kelley, " J. G. Kemeny, Dorothea Meagher, Bruce Meserve, E. E. Moise, W. W. Osborn, W. P. Robinson, Jr., Robert Sloan, Roth-

^well Stephens, Joseph Stipano wich, W. P. Viali, and R. J. Wisner.

The participants at the conferences represented many areas of interest in the education of elementary school teachers. Table 2 shows the number of participants at each conference and their areas of concern.

Results of conferences

The participants from elementary schools enunciated clearly and strikingly the need for implementation of CUPM Recommendations. Teachers need to feel secure in the subject matter they teach. Several reports mentioned unfortunate ex- periences of teachers who were unprepared to teach new mathematics material, and principals reported that most elementary school teachers are less well-prepared to teach the mathematics for the elementary school than any other subject. Some super- intendents of schools reported that they were forced to go out of their states to recruit elementary school teachers capable of teaching some of the new programs in mathematics in their elementary schools. The introduction of new programs of

The Arithmetic Teacher

This content downloaded from 62.122.76.54 on Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:23:57 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

Table 2

Conference participants and their areas of concern

State Mathematics School of State Dept. of Teachers and Total Department Education Education Principals

Oklahoma 24 12 4 14 54 Florida 23 17 4 18 62 Michigan 14 13 6 19 52 Maine, New

Hampshire, Vermont 20 12 9 11 52

Illinois 31 19 7 10 67 Minnesota 20 8 6 18 52 New York 23 18 9 32 82 Tennessee 29 13 4 10 56 Texas 41 15 6 23 85 California 49 28 8 36 121

Total 274 155 63 191 683

study into the elementary school has made the widespread implementation of CUPM Recommendations not only desirable but also necessary.

Mathematics specialists The widespread opinion that some pro-

spective elementary school teachers have inadequacies in mathematics led to the suggestion in several of the conferences that mathematics specialists be utilized in the schools (as opposed to the self- contained classroom). This proposal al- ways gave rise to heated and lengthy debate with little consensus. Proponents of the self-contained classroom favored ade- quate training in mathematics for all prospective elementary school teachers to maintain the one-teacher classroom, and it was repeatedly pointed out that the self-contained classroom will be con- tinued. Some participants felt that, should it prove to be impossible to prepare each teacher adequately, the specialist might become a necessity.

Variability in preparation of college freshmen and the problems posed by this variation were recognized. Many state institutions must accept and enroll all high school graduates, regardless of back- ground and ability. Most institutions, however, have their own regulations for acceptance into particular programs within the institution. Therefore, it is not

February 1964

unreasonable for schools and departments of education to require that students who enter a program of elementary education have two years of college preparatory mathematics.

It was generally agreed that students with strong backgrounds in high school mathematics who enroll in elementary education programs should complete a program of study equivalent to the Level II Recommendations of CUPM. These students would then be prepared for a leadership role in the elementary school.

The feasibility of fitting twelve semester hours of mathematics into elementary education curricula was discussed. The professional education participants seemed to be evenly split on this matter - about half believed that twelve semester hours of mathematics could be included in the general curriculum with little or no dif- ficulty; the others maintained that major adjustments would be necessary. In this connection, the five-year program for ele- mentary school teachers was mentioned repeatedly as a means of helping ele- mentary teachers become competent in all of the subject matter areas which they are called upon to teach. Everyone agreed that a program of studies consistent with the CUPM Recommendations should at least be offered as électives to students in ele- mentary education.

91

This content downloaded from 62.122.76.54 on Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:23:57 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

Certification standards for elementary school teachers

Representatives from state departments of education at eight of the ten confer- ences were among the most avid sup- porters of the CUPM Recommendations. Most certification officers were influenced by the NASDTEC-AAAS Study which parallels the CUPM Recommendations for. future elementary school teachers. Five states were undergoing re-evaluations of certification codes at the time of the conferences, and it is hoped that results of these conferences will influence improve- ments in certification standards. In every state undergoing re-evaluation, certifica- tion requirements are couched in terms of minimum number of semester hours, and thus in no state do certification require- ments bar or hinder the improvement of the mathematical education of elementary teachers by individual colleges and uni- versities.

Several participants from colleges of education feared that higher standards would discourage students from entering a field in which a shortage exists. This usually led to a discussion of ways of at- tracting better students to the teaching profession. This problem transcends the powers and aims of CUPM. Representa- tives from a few schools which require the suggested courses reported, however, that enrollments in elementary education have risen rather than declined.

It was agreed at all of the conferences that the nature of the content of the re- quired courses is as important as the num- ber of hours required. The need for specialized training in mathematics for future elementary teachers was generally recognized. It was emphasized that courses in high school algebra or trigonometry do not meet the needs of the prospective ele- mentary school teacher. The mere inclu- sion of certain topics and exclusion of others does not automatically make a standard catalog course appropriate for elementary school teachers. The spirit of the course and the manner in which it is

92

presented is of the utmost importance. The use of the "discovery method" by the student is essential, and the develop- ment of proper attitudes towards mathe- matics is imperative.

The possibility of integrated courses, instead of separate courses in number, al- gebra, and geometry, was discussed at a few of the conferences. It was generally agreed that there are various acceptable patterns of organizing the recommended material and that each institution must work out a plan which is best for it.

Competent instruction in mathematics at the college level

The acute shortage of competent faculty already felt in many colleges would be greatly accentuated if new multiple-sec- tion courses were added in the implemen- tation of CUPM Recommendations. It was agreed, however, that these courses should not be left in the hands of inexperi- enced graduate assistants. In many in- stitutions, courses in mathematics for teachers are now taught by people with little or no mathematical background. In the past, elementary courses in mathe- matics for future teachers have evoked very little interest or attention on the part of bona fide mathematicians. Conse- quently, these courses were often among the most poorly taught at the undergradu- ate level. A reversal of this situation is im- perative if programs for teachers are to be improved in the future. Mathematics staffs must be convinced of the importance of these courses. To assure success, the courses must be staffed by able people who are willing to devote some time to the or- ganization and presentation of the ma- terial, who are interested in the problems of elementary education, and who are sympathetic with the students.

The urgent need for appropriate text- books which embrace the Recommenda- tions of CUPM was voiced repeatedly. It was felt that good textbooks could be a partial guard against the problems which will arise when courses are taught by in-

The Arithmetic Teacher

This content downloaded from 62.122.76.54 on Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:23:57 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

structors with inadequate background in mathematics. Participants at two of the conferences suggested that teacher com- mentaries be written to accompany any textbooks.

Resolutions were passed at almost all of the conferences which approved the spirit of the CUPM Recommendations and urged their adoption by colleges and state departments of education.

One of the resolutions adopted is in- cluded here because it is representative of others and because it is brief. It was passed at the Texas Conference.

This group approves the spirit of the topical outline of CUPM covering the subject matter competencies in mathematics needed by ele- mentary school teachers. It feels further that, in order to train these teachers adequately, our colleges should include twelve semester hours of course work in mathematics in the curriculum for elementary teachers.

Some resolutions were more specific and detailed, and a few less specific as to hours. (See Mathematics Monthly, LXX, No. 4, 433-34.) The resolutions are avail- able in "Ten Conferences on the Training of Teachers of Elementary School Mathe- matics. "

An algorism is born A recent evidence of the reward of leading a student to the joys and satisfactions of "discovery" and "creativity" may be of interest. The class was a mathematics education class.

The subject being explored was that of expressing a number in various bases. At this point in a course, student reactions can be both varied and interesting. Some find it "fun" from the start, others are challenged and stimulated, while still others express much frustration. In the end, most adult students will agree that their understanding and appreciation of our own decimal system has been greatly increased and that they find true satisfac- tion in "creating" new names for a given number by using different groupings or bases.

The algorism for changing a base ten numeral into another base is well known. Changing to a base ten numeral from another base, however, is usually accom- plished by the complicated method of thinking out the "place value," multiply- ing by the digit in a given place, and adding. A student, Mr. Donald Snowhook, Evanston, Illinois, liked the idea of ex- ploring and discovering new trails. As the class was dismissed at noon one day, he stopped me to explain his "discovery."

"If I want to change a 'base eight'

February 1964

numeral to an equivalent 'base ten' numeral," said Donald, with some excite- ment, "I can do it this way. Take 2348 as an example. 2348 may be changed to a base ten numeral this way:

{[(2X8)+3]X8}+4 or 15610." "You don't say!" I exclaimed. "Does it always work out?" He had tried the algorism in enough cases to encourage him to think it was sound. "As a matter of fact," said Donald, "it is the inverse of what we do to change from a base ten numeral to another base."

As one thinks about it for a moment, it is obvious that one has actually multiplied 64 by 2, 3 by 8, added these, and then added the unit figure. But how interesting - and rewarding - to have it packaged in this neat algorism discovered by a stu- dent. Even if it be not new to some, the example clearly illustrates the "discovery principle" at work. And it does seem quicker. Take another example: Change 12347 to the base 10.

12347= { [{ [(1X7)+2]X7}+3]X7| +4 or 466io

- Lucy E. Driscoll, 802 N. Dunton Avenue,

Arlington Heights, Illinois.

93

This content downloaded from 62.122.76.54 on Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:23:57 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions