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Have Mathematics Exams Become Easier?
Coryoth writes "The BBC is reporting on a recent study in the UK that found that the difficulty of high school level math exams has declined. The study looked at mathematics from 1951 through to the present and found that, after remaining roughly constant through the 1970s and 1980s, the difficulty of high school math exams dropped precipitously starting in the early 1990s. A comparison of exams is provided in the appendix of the study. Are other countries, such as the US, noticing a similar decline in mathematics standards?" Readers with kids in school right now may have the best perspective on changes in both teaching and testing methods -- what have you noticed?
They had to lower the standards because the kids today can't handle simple math.
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US of A : http://failblog.org/epic-math-fail/ ~
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Tell me about it. It's pathetic how easy math exams are these days. I mean, I really struggled in math in the second grade, and I was lucky to get average grades. Imagine my surprise when I decided to take my son's 2nd grade math test, and I got an almost perfect score! It was so easy! Clearly these kids are being spoiled by lower expectations.
Then: Sally is twice as old as Suzy. Three years from now, the sum of their ages will be 42. How old is Sally?
Now: Chloe has 7 apples. How many apples does Chloe have?
Tomorrow: Write the number 5.
"...the district is forcing them to dumb down the tests..."
We in the U.S. did the same thing to the Presidency eight years ago, and have gotten similar results.
9 out of 7 math students agree, standards have not been dropped!
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. - Mark Twain
Examples of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s.
1. Teaching Math In 1950:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
2. Teaching Math In 1960:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
3. Teaching Math In 1970:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is $80. Did he make a profit?
4. Teaching Math In 1980:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is
$80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
5. Teaching Math In 1990:
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and
inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the
preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a
profit of $20.
What do you think of this way of making a living?
Topic for class participation after answering the question:
How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes?
(There are no wrong answers.)
6. Teaching Math In 2008:
Un maderero vende un camión de madera de construcción para $100. Su
coste de producción es $80. Cuántos de su familia pueden usted alimentar
desde los $20 beneficios?
x(n) = [3 * x(n-1)] + x(n-2) , where n>3
So it's 313 next, right? Next question please
This is not a sig
Been there, done that, got the headache from watching the less-than-good teachers get the same rewards while being in school for only as much time as the kids. So I left, and years later I'm an environmental manager, trying to convince a bunch of longshoremen not to throw garbage in the recycling bins and dealing with unresponsive management.
The more things change...
Find environmentally and socially responsible products on http://buy-right.net
All your matematica are belong to us!
Yep, and I'd love an olympic 100m sprinter's job where you work for 10 seconds every four years.
I can't believe nobody included the obligatory joke on this. Also, my first post on slashdot :)
Teaching Math in the 1950's:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?
Teaching Math in the 1960's:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
Teaching Math in the 1970's:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
Teaching Math in the 1980's:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Underline the number 20.
Teaching Math in the 1990's:
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok. )
Teaching Math in the 2000's:
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
Geology - it's not rocket science; it's rock science
...the complete and utter dependance on calculators, especially those fancy, programmable Texas Instruments ones...
I'm even dumber than that, as I use an HP with RPN! It's smarter than I am (not that that's a great accomplishment).
But I never wanted to be an accountant - I wanted to be a lion tamer!
One swallow does not a fellatrix make