Interactive Mathematics Program: Difference between revisions

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IMP is among the reform curricula that have been heavily criticized by organizations such as [[Mathematically Correct]]. That organization’s Internet site begins with a statement that “advocates of the new, fuzzy math” (focus) “on things like [[calculator]]s, blocks, guesswork, and group activities and they shun things like [[algorithm]]s and repeated practice. The new programs are shy on fundamentals and they also lack the mathematical depth and rigor that promotes greater achievement.”<ref>[http://www.mathematicallycorrect.com/] Mathematically Correct, www.mathematicallycorrect.com</ref> Former NCTM president Frank Allen states, “Trying to organize school mathematics around problem solving instead of using its own internal structure for that purpose … (is destroying) essential connections….”<ref>[http://mathematicallycorrect.com/allen1.htm] Allen, F: “A Critical View of NCTM Policies with Special Reference to the Standards Reports” on mathematicallycorrect.com, last retrieved April 7, 2010</ref>

Criticism often includes anecdotal evidence including stories of school districts that have decided to discontinue or supplement use of the IMP curriculum<ref>[http://www.thenewstribunehomework-desk.com/newsblog/localkids_math_basics/story] "Does kid's math have go to basics?”</6051712p-5310251cref> and of students who did not feel they had been prepared adequately for college.<ref>[http://mathematicallycorrect.com/impsf.htmlhtm] AbeDatta, DS: "Back“Interactive toMathematics BasicsProgram: Manifesto on Kids’an Math:Experimental Concept Gone Awry” on mathematicallycorrect.com, last retrieved April 7, 2010</ref> "Regular math is much better, it makes much more sense," says Aimee Lynn Stearns, a student at Taos High School in Taos, New Mexico.

Alarmed by Low Scores, Tacoma School Officials OK Added Saxon Textbook,” ''The News Tribune'' (Tacoma WA), August 25th, 2006 [DEAD LINK]</ref> and of students who did not feel they had been prepared adequately for college.<ref>[http://mathematicallycorrect.com/impsf.htm] Datta, S: “Interactive Mathematics Program: Manifesto on an Experimental Concept Gone Awry” on mathematicallycorrect.com, last retrieved April 7, 2010</ref> "Regular math is much better, it makes much more sense," says Aimee Lynn Stearns, a student at Taos High School in Taos, New Mexico.

On the other hand, some IMP students describe the program in positive terms. "It's fun, but it makes you really think," according to Ziouck Gonzalez, a student at Wells High School in Chicago, Illinois. Looking beyond student response, IMP was one of five mathematics education programs designated "exemplary" by the US Education Department in 1999, for "outstanding quality and demonstrated effectiveness."<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_puca/is_199910/ai_2981414283] "Expert Panel Selects Exemplary, Promising Mathematics Programs," US Education Department Press Release, October 6, 1999</ref> It's About Time, the publisher of IMP, points out “the IMP first edition was published after more than 10 years of research, pilot testing, evaluating, field testing, revising, and detailed reviewing.”<ref>[http://www.mathimp.org/downloads/IMPWhitePaper.pdf] “Research Supporting the Interactive Mathematics Program”</ref>