Writing
Faster Isn’t Smarter, published May 2009
Based on Cathy L. Seeley’s award-winning NCTM President’s Messages, and including dozens of new messages, Faster Isn’t Smarter: Messages About Math, Teaching, and Learning in the 21st Century offers straight talk and common sense about some of the most thought-provoking and important issues today. With topics ranging from the impact of rising expectations and the trap of timed tests to the role of technology and the phenomenon of jumping on bandwagons, this book provides a base for lively discussion among teachers, parents, leaders, and policy makers.
Current and Favorite Writing:
Some of my favorite things to write were my NCTM President’s Messages. I am always eager to write more things like that. So if there’s an education topic you want me to write about, please let me know.
NCTM President’s Messages, 2004-2006. See especially Embracing Accountability, Excel Gold Medal Recipient, Society of National Association Publishers, 2005.
Other Publications:
“Mathematics Textbook Adoption in the United States,” in A History of School Mathematics, edited by George M. A. Stanic and Jeremy Kilpatrick , National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2003.
“Line Dancing in Texas: One State’s Experience in System Alignment,” Dialogues, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, March 1999.
“Ten Kinds of Wonderful: New Roles for Math Teachers,” Wisconsin Teacher of Mathematics, Spring 1999. (also reprinted in various local professional publications in other states)
Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Middle School Math (three-textbook series for grades 6, 7, and 8), lead author team, Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Publishing Company, 1998/2000.
Moving Toward World Class: Maintaining the Momentum of Fifteen Years of Mathematics and Science Reform in Texas and the U.S. (pdf download), primary author, Issue Brief #3, Texas Statewide Systemic Initiative at the Charles A. Dana Center, 1998.
“What Mathematics for Whom?” in Conference Proceedings of the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project’s Fourth International Conference (1998).
Algebra 1-4: Implementing Policies That Serve All Students, primary author, Issue Brief #2, Texas Statewide Systemic Initiative, 1998.
“What is the Matter with Math Scores?” Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) Newsletter, March 1998.
What it Means to Implement the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) (pdf download), primary author, Issue Brief #1, Texas Statewide Systemic Initiative, 1997 (reprinted in the Journal of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals).
“Changing the Mathematics We Teach,” in Seventy-Five Years of Progress: Prospects for School Mathematics, edited by Iris Carl, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1995.
Addison-Wesley Secondary Mathematics (four-textbook high school series), lead author for Foundations of Algebra and Geometry, series conceptualizer, Addison-Wesley, 1995.
“Teaching Algebra in the Real World,” in What’s a Teacher to Do? New Curricula for New Standards, National Alliance for Restructuring Education / New Standards Project, 1994.
“Increasing Access or Ensuring Failure? Policy Makers Throw a Hammer into the Wall,” in Algebra for the 21st Century: Proceedings of the August 1992 Conference, NCTM, 1992.
“Problem Solving Is,” STEAM Across Texas, Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Spring, 1991.
Illusion and Accountability: Partners in Reform, informal paper prepared for the Mathematics Assessment Study Group of the National Research Council, 1991.
Starting Today: A Guide to Improving Texas Mathematics Programs for the 1990s, Texas Education Agency, 1991.
“Ben Jiménez, Where Are You?” Texas Mathematics Teacher, October 1990.
Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics, (one of 24 writers), NCTM, 1989.
“Technology as a Bridge to Thinking,” Realistic Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH), Texas Education Agency, 1988.
“The Role of Calculators in Elementary Mathematics Instruction,” STEAM Across Texas, February 1988.
“Change, Not Chaos,” Texas Association of Supervisors of Mathematics Newsletter, July 1987.
“Elementary Mathematics: The Good Stuff,” STEAM Across Texas, Summer, 1987.
“An Opportunity for Leadership,” National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics Newsletter, March 1987.
“The Mathematics Program: An Overview and Explanation,” (with staff), Focus on Learning Problems in Mathematics, Summer 1987.
Mathematics Framework K-12, (with staff), Texas Education Agency, 1986.
“The Critical Nature of Algebra I,” Texas Association of Supervisors of Mathematics Newsletter, 1985.
“Metricating Painlessly,” Arithmetic Teacher, October 1974.
