Category Archives: STEM

Rethinking the Structure of American Secondary Education, by Qianruo Shen

Posted on 23/07/2026 by Richard P Phelps

New in the Nonpartisan Education Review: https://nonpartisaneducation.org/Review/Essays/v22n1.html This essay examines the strengths and structural challenges of American secondary education from a comparative perspective informed by educational experience in both China and North America. While recognizing the achievements of American schools … Continue reading →

Posted in College prep, Curriculum & Instruction, Education policy, Governance, International Tests, K-12, Qianruo Shen, STEM | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Modernizing Mathematics Education for Grades 9-14

Posted on 16/07/2026 by Richard P Phelps

https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DEPS-MSEB-25-01 “We are seeking perspectives from math researchers, educators, and users of math and statistics for a consensus study report on modernizing math education for Grades 9-14. Submissions are due by August 20, 2026. “ “A student’s mathematical education can help … Continue reading →

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The Sage from the East: Michael Xu’s Story as a Mirror to America’s Math Education Crisis

Posted on 11/07/2026 by Ling Huang

https://nonpartisaneducation.org/Review/Resources/Michael_Xu_Success_v_America_Math_Ed_Crisis.pdf by Ling Huang Most people only know Jaime Escalante from Stand and Deliver. Few know there was a Chinese immigrant teacher who did something just as extraordinary:For 20 years in the Arizona desert, he took the state’s poorest Indigenous, … Continue reading →

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Visual Models, Procedural Fluency, and Multiple Strategies:A Cognitive Critique of Common Core Elementary Mathematics

Posted on 28/06/2026 by Qianruo Shen

https://nonpartisaneducation.org/Review/Reviews/v22n1.html by Qianruo Shen Abstract: This paper examines the cognitive and curricular problems of Common Core elementary mathematics. Through analysis of Big Ideas Math and related instructional practices, it argues that, visual representations are employed excessively and without sufficient transition … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Core, constructivism, Curriculum & Instruction, Education policy, Eric A. Nelson, International Tests, K-12, math, Mathematics, Qianruo Shen, STEM | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New article: Qianruo Shen’s “Integrated Curriculum Reform and its Impact on Science Education — Why is the West Falling Behind East Asia in PISA and TIMSS?”

Posted on 09/12/2024 by Ling Huang

Abstract: This paper investigates why western nations underperform in PISA and TIMSS compared to East Asia and explores the root causes of the decline in science education. By analyzing TIMSS data and comparing the science curricula and teacher qualifications in … Continue reading →

Posted in constructivism, Curriculum & Instruction, Education policy, International Tests, K-12, Mathematics, Qianruo Shen, science, STEM | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Comments on Zearn’s “Myth of the Math Kid”

Posted on 15/08/2024 by Joye Walker

https://time.com/7008332/math-kid-myth-essay/ I really find these kinds of articles tiresome, because the accusations or “myths” as expressed by Shalinee Sharma, are assumptions made by people who are generalizing about all math teaching in order to peddle their programs. The first myth … Continue reading →

Posted in Curriculum & Instruction, Education journalism, Joye Walker, K-12, math, Mathematics, STEM | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Iowa Academic Standards Hold Teachers Hostage

Posted on 31/10/2022 by Joye Walker

By Joye Walker I retired more than a year ago, giving me many months to process the discomfort I felt in my last few years of teaching. It was a difficult time for many reasons, but one big reason stands … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Core, Curriculum & Instruction, Joye Walker, K-12, math, Mathematics, STEM | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Response to John Merrow’s advocacy of Project-based Learning

Posted on 06/02/2020 by Erich Martel

John Merrow has started a series of posts advocating project based learning. I just posted the following to his website: Project-Based Learning, part two John, It’s disappointing to see you disparaging the teaching of factual information: “I also endorsed project-based learning … Continue reading →

Posted in constructivism, Curriculum & Instruction, Education journalism, Erich Martel, K-12, science, STEM | Leave a comment

New “science and society” podcast

Posted on 24/06/2019 by Richard P Phelps

ANNOUNCING: Critically Speaking, a new podcast series hosted by Therese Markow, who writes:       ” … we separate facts from fallacies at the intersection of science and society. “Every day we make decisions that affect our own lives, … Continue reading →

Posted in Curriculum & Instruction, Education journalism, Education policy, Higher Education, Richard P. Phelps, STEM, Wayne Bishop | Leave a comment

Mathematics and Science Courses Required or Recommended for Admission into Engineering and Engineering Technology Programs at Massachusetts Institutions of Higher Education (2003)

Posted on 05/05/2019 by Sandra Stotsky

https://nonpartisaneducation.org/Review/Resources/MassMathEngReqs.htm This survey of the high school mathematics and science requirements for admission to the 11 colleges of engineering in Massachusetts in 2003 provides interesting facts in Tables 3 and 4. It is no longer clear if the required coursework … Continue reading →

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