Teaching to Talent: Evaluating an Enriched and Accelerated Mathematics Program

The authors present an evaluation of the Gifted Math Program, which was established in 1984 and funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. Mathematics achievement, and mathematics preferences were assessed for second-seventh grade students who participated in the program, as compared with students who were accepted but did not participate. Significant differences were found on mathematical achievement favoring students in the program. The two groups did not differ on stated preferences for learning math, however, the groups differed dramatically on expressed opportunities in math. The authors conclude that there are programs which can address the needs of bright young mathematicians.

The largest number that can be written in any base

Recently, in our seventh-grade accelerated mathematics class, we were discussing the largest number which could be written using only three digits. Many of the students thought the number was (999), until we discovered a three-digit number that was so large that, if we used one inch to write each digit, the number would measure over 12,000 miles; then later, we discovered a three-digit number even larger.

Points and Viewpoints: Some comment on accelerated mathematics

There are two definite trends in secondary mathematics today: the introduction of modern mathematics into the curriculum, and the introduction of accelerated programs to gifted students. It is my belief that we should take a closer look at the second trend.