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University Of Chicago School Mathematics Project

The University of Chicago School Mathematics Project, or UCSMP as it’s tediously known, is a sprawling endeavor by the University of Chicago in the United States. Its grand, if somewhat exhausting, ambition? To drag mathematics in the United States out of its mediocrity by, you know, actually teaching it properly. They aim to hoist educational standards for children in elementary and secondary schools to a level that doesn’t make one want to weep. [1]

Overview

This UCSMP outfit is dedicated to propping up educators. They supply them with training materials, which is frankly a generous act for anyone who’s seen the state of some of these classrooms. And they’ve cobbled together a comprehensive mathematics curriculum, spanning every grade from the utterly basic to the vaguely intimidating. Their strategy? To import the perceived strengths of international mathematics education, which apparently involves translating non-English math textbooks for English-speaking students. Because, naturally, the problem was the language, not the content. They even sponsor international conferences on math education, because more talking about math is exactly what the world needs. Launched in 1983, with a six-year grant from Amoco – a name that now carries a certain… historical weight. [1] This project, for better or worse, is apparently used all over the United States.

UCSMP also birthed Everyday Mathematics, a curriculum for pre-K and elementary school students. It’s designed to make math… well, everyday. Whether that’s a good thing is debatable.

UCSMP Publishers

They’ve outsourced the actual printing, which is probably for the best.

  • Wright Group-McGraw-Hill: Handles the K-6 materials. For the pre-K stuff, it’s SRA McGraw-Hill Education. They seem to be the primary conduits for the younger set.
  • Wright Group-McGraw-Hill: Also responsible for the 6-12 materials. So, the same people are inflicting their curriculum on students from kindergarten through graduation.
  • American Mathematical Society: They handle the translations of foreign texts. Apparently, math is so universal, it just needs a different accent.

See Also

  • Zalman Usiskin. I’m told he’s involved. Don't ask me to elaborate; I don't do hagiographies.