New National Academies board will wade into math warsThe “math wars” have raged for decades between academic mathematicians and math educators. Many of the former argue that a traditional sequence of courses that emphasizes rules and solving equations is needed to provide an adequate foundation for higher math, whereas the latter tend to favor teaching that emphasizes basic concepts over rote learning and incorporates practical applications. In recent years, the debate has swirled around whether data science is more useful for college-bound students than traditional subjects such as second-year algebra. The dispute has also become a proxy for larger cultural wars, most notably over diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
I thought academic mathematicians were the other way — basic concepts, then learn what you need to solve the problems. That’s how they do their own work. I guess some of them want kids to not do things they way mathematicians do it? But Math Circle is run by mathematicians, and they all seem to think kids need to spend more time doing math the way grad students do it.
As for algebra 2 vs. data science, that depends on what specifically is in the algebra 2 and in the data science. I imagine the mathematicians and teachers would feel the same way, but clearly I have not been following the debate enough to know.