Math panic in girls

I just read J. Steiny's interesting column on the innovative math program at Burrillville High ( Lois Short, department chairwoman, Kristi Craig,instructor) .

I wish there were a similar program at Scituate High where my "good in English " niece ,Tara, is floundering and near panic in her traditional, mind numbing Algebra course.

I'll bet that a sensitive -female- instructor -even more than an Interactive Mathematics Program -would do more for her confidence in her own brain . A teacher who would "turn the light on " . I reminded Tara of a scene in the movie " Peggy Sue Got Married ": 42 year old Peggy Sue ( Kathy Turner ) finds herself traveling back in time. She is back in her high school Algebra class -and unprepared for a test." And what is the meaning of this, Peggy Sue ? " asks her grouchy male teacher, a guy that crushes the confidence of the math phobic.

"Believe me ", she says impudently, " I will not be needing this crap in the future. And I speak from experience ! "

Still girls like Tara should not give up on "higher " math -like elementary Algebra. They might want to know how to maximize a candy store's profits someday. So best wishes to Burrillville High's IMP .

There is a helpful book written by a woman, S. Tobias : " Math Anxiety ". A little dated but still relevant : " Why Johnny Can't Add " by Morris Kline.

Yes, female math students deserve more attention and respect. Those traditional methods of math instruction are deadly dull to them.