High
School
Mathematics
Curriculum
Study
Prepared for the Washington State Board of Education
by Linda Plattner
March 11, 2009
Strategic Teaching
A Review of Four High-School Mathematics Programs
Guershon Harel
University of California, San Diego
harel@math.ucsd.edu
by W.StephenWilson
March 2009
The programs in examined in this review are:
• Core-Plus Courses 1, 2, and 3
• Discovering Algebra, Geometry, and Advanced Algebra
• Holt Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry
• Glencoe Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry
Prepared for the Washington State Board of Education
by Linda Plattner
March 11, 2009
Strategic Teaching
A Review of Four High-School Mathematics Programs Guershon Harel
University of California, San Diego
harel@math.ucsd.edu
The programs in examined in this review are:
• Core-Plus Courses 1, 2, and 3
• Discovering Algebra, Geometry, and Advanced Algebra
• Holt Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry
• Glencoe Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry
WashingtonState HighSchoolMathTextReview • Core-Plus Courses 1, 2, and 3
• Discovering Algebra, Geometry, and Advanced Algebra
• Holt Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry
• Glencoe Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry
by W.StephenWilson
March 2009
The programs in examined in this review are:
• Core-Plus Courses 1, 2, and 3
• Discovering Algebra, Geometry, and Advanced Algebra
• Holt Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry
• Glencoe Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry
2008 WA State High School Mathematics Review Comparison: Looking at Mathematical Soundness
Characteristics of the Glencoe high school math program
- Mathematically unacceptable
- Presents unexplained, unjustified rules and procedures related to algebraic skills
- Direct instruction with practice problems
- Mini-labs for conceptual understanding
- Optional group activities
- Well crafted word problems
- Good sequencing
- Errors in content and incorrect language
- Concepts presented as rules
- Confusing and misleading explanations