National Research Council’s Findings
Complementary Mathematics / National Research Council’s Findings
National Research Council’s Findings
In 2001, the National Research Council (NRC) published the results of arguably the most comprehensive and objective study ever undertaken regarding mathematics education in the K – 8 grades: Adding It Up:Helping Children Learn Mathematics (National Academies Press (NAP) 460 pages). A year later, NAP produced what is essentially an executive summary of the original study entitled, Helping Children Learn Mathematics.
This summary 42-page document is concise, insightful and direct. It can be downloaded for free at:https://www.nap.edu/catalog/10434/helping-children-learn-mathematics. It is most highly recommended that all stakeholders concerned with the education of mathematics read this publication; it is a 30 – 40 minute read. By understanding the recommended structures put forth in this booklet, readers will gain a background and context by which to make curricular and other educational judgements pertaining to math education.
The Complementary Mathematics website that you are currently visiting is based solely on the findings and recommendations of the National Research Council.
The Five Strands of Mathematics Proficiency
As defined by the National Research Council
(1) Conceptual Understanding (Understanding): Comprehending mathematical concepts, operations, and relations – knowing what mathematical symbols, diagrams, and procedures mean.
(2) Procedural Fluency (Computing): Carrying out mathematical procedures, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately.
(3) Strategic Competence (Applying): Being able to formulate problems mathematically and to devise strategies for solving them using concepts and procedures appropriately.
(4)Adaptive Reasoning (Reasoning): Using logic to explain and justify a solution to a problem or to extend from something known to something not yet known.
(5)Productive Disposition (Engaging): Seeing mathematics as sensible, useful, and doable – if you work at it – and being willing to do the work.
National Research Council. (2002). Helping Children Learn Mathematics. Mathematics Learning Study Committee, J Kilpatrick and J. Swafford, Editors. Center for Education, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
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“The most important feature of mathematical proficiency is that these five strands are interwoven and interdependent.”(page 9, Helping ChildrenLearn Mathematics, NRC, 2002)