In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. John Mighton — mathematician, playwright, best-selling author, and founder of JUMP Math. John shares his insights into one of the most misunderstood concepts in education today—the belief that only some students are “math people”—and explains why dismantling this idea is essential for equity and achievement. As we explore the evolution of the “math wars”, John outlines the reforms needed to achieve math proficiency for all students in North America, including better support for teachers, universal access to high-quality materials, and a cultural shift away from unproductive beliefs about how math should be taught. Encouragingly, he points to signs of progress in classrooms where JUMP Math has been adopted. And while the conversation is grounded in research and policy, it’s also deeply human—centered on the belief that every child can learn, and that the right tools and systematic instruction can unlock their full potential.
Research Mentioned…
We talked for some time about this paper:
The Advantages of Abstract Examples in Learning Math [Link]
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