Anaheim, Calif. -- In a rigorous analysis of 12 middle school mathematics textbooks, only four recently published series received high ratings, while the other more well-established textbooks were rated as unsatisfactory, according to Project 2061, the long-term math and science education reform initiative of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
"The good news is that there are excellent math textbooks now available for middle school students. It is imperative that these books become the textbook of choice in more classrooms if we are to reach our goal of developing students who are math and science literate," stated Dr. George Nelson, director of Project 2061.
The evaluation was conducted by independent analysis teams made up of classroom teachers and college and university faculty who had extensive knowledge of mathematics content and of research on teaching and learning. Using a procedure developed by Project 2061, the analysts evaluated textbooks on how likely they are to help students achieve six key learning goals from Project 2061's landmark Benchmarks for Science Literacy. These benchmarks are consistent with the widely accepted standards developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The benchmarks deal with number and geometry concepts and related skills, as well as algebra equation concepts, and algebra graph concepts.
A key feature of the Project 2061 evaluation is its analysis of how successfully the textbooks supported teachers in their efforts to help students learn. The analysis teams reviewed specific instructional strategies that textbooks provide for each benchmark idea or skill. To evaluate the quality of these strategies, the analysts applied a set of 24 research-based instructional criteria to specific lessons, activities, teacher notes, assessments and other evidence.
"AAAS conducted this study because we know that textbooks are the critical link to implementing the curriculum. Carrying on the mantle of leadership that we assumed a decade ago in publishing Science for All Americans, Project 2061 has made a major contribution to education reform efforts with this standards-based textbook analysis," stated Dr. M.R.C. Greenwood, Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz, and President of AAAS.
Good News:
- There are a few excellent middle-grades mathematics textbook series.
- The best series contains both in-depth mathematics content and excellent
instructional support.
- Most of the textbooks do a satisfactory job on number and geometry skills.
- A majority of textbooks do a reasonable job in the key instructional areas of
engaging students and helping them develop and use mathematical ideas.
- There are no popular commercial textbooks among the best rated.
- Most of the textbooks are inconsistent and often weak in their coverage of
conceptual benchmarks in mathematics.
- Most of the textbooks are weak in their instructional support for students and
teachers.
- Many textbooks provide little development in sophistication of mathematical
ideas from grades 6 to 8, corroborating similar findings of the Third
International Mathematics and Science Study.
- A majority of textbooks are particularly unsatisfactory in providing a purpose
for learning mathematics, taking account of student ideas, and promoting student
thinking.
As benchmarks and standards for student learning become the focus of education reform efforts in more states and school districts, textbooks play an increasingly important role. The National Education Goals Panel, for example, has characterized textbooks as "the nation's de facto curriculum," calling for "an independent and credible 'consumer reports' review service" to inform educators, policymakers, and the general public about "the degree to which instructional materials are aligned with challenging academic standards." This evaluation answers that call.
Findings from the middle school math textbook evaluation were released at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA, on January 22. Drafts of the technical reports on each of the textbooks are available from Project 2061. This analysis is the first in a series of evaluations of mathematics and science textbooks to be conducted by Project 2061. The benchmarks-based approach to evaluation was developed with funding from the National Science Foundation. Funding for the middle school math book evaluation was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Contacts:
Eileen Kugler
Jan. 20-24 -- AAAS Press Room in Anaheim, 714-703-0122
Mary Koppal: 202-326-6643
Jan 21-26 -- Anaheim Hilton, 714-750-4321