Don't tell your kids, "I can't do the math," CSUEB lecturer advises

• September 13, 2011 5:05am

Phil Gonsalves asked the audience at the San Benito High School District meeting to think about how they share their views about math. People won't admit that they can't read, but it seems acceptable to say, "I just can't do math." Gonsalves is coordinator of the Alameda County Collaborative for Learning and Instruction in Mathematics (ACCLAIM), a joint effort of the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE), Cal State East Bay and Chabot College. He has also been a CSUEB math lecturer for over 25 years.

He passionately challenged the audience to change that culture. "It gives our children permission to not try to do math, and that is simply unacceptable." He said children who can't do math simply haven't been asked to think mathematically. Rather, they have been asked to learn rules about solving problems, without understanding the math behind them.

Read more in an article by Dr. Stan Rose, Superintendent, San Benito School District.

KL