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Metric and Education

Anyone interested to see how disadvantaged US children are learning the inch pound system can go to www.edweek.org/ew/vol-18/01phelps.h18 and read a study by Richard Phelps on this subject.

Here is an edited excerpt:

A transition to metric usage in the US would be a major factor in correcting the poor performance shown by US students in maths & science, according to an article in the February 1996 Evaluation Review, by Richard P. Phelps, an analyst on education issues at the Pelavin Research Center of the American Institutes for Research in Washington DC. Phelps? study shows that the current practice of teaching two systems of measurement in US schools wastes time and is very costly. The use of the metric system is mandatory for working in many key professions such as medicine, science and engineering; therefore, metric must be included in the curricula. However, there is no overwhelming need to use inch-pound units in daily lives because metric units can easily be substituted. In the article, Phelps? conclusions are reached by examining three methods of teaching measurement. He calculates the net benefits of each system by development of quantitative measures of benefits and costs, and then compares the results. His research shows that teaching the metric system of measurement only could save 82 days of mathematical instruction-time annually and would provide a yearly saving of $17,653 million in to US education. The time and funds gained could be used to teach more maths, giving students better skills and increasing their scores in international mathematics tests. [Presently, the U.S. ranks 13th out of 17 countries on international maths tests given to 8th graders.] The current practice of trying to teach both metric and inch-pound usage is wasteful and unnecessary..........

Posted by: metre   Posted on: 04/05/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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