From: btennison@jb.com
Subject: Kumon Math
Date sent: Thu, 20 Feb 1997 18:33:50 -0800

All: I was watching the network news (ABC with Peter Jennings) tonight and I saw a story on "Kumon Math." Seems a Mr. Kumon of Japan has invented a Math instruction system wherein the children are timed on Math operation, use repetition to drive the math concepts into their minds, practice concentration on their studies, etc.. You know, it sounded exactly like the math classes I used to take back in the 50's except this system was praised as the system that put the Japanese in 1st place in the world. This is a new "Japanese" system that is being tried in 200 American schools with amazing success. I wanted to throw up!

Anyway, they gave an e-mail address for public input and comment ( solutions@abc.com ) so I responded. See my response below:

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To: solutions@abc.com

I am outraged by tonight's (20 Feb 97) story on "Kumon Math." Many of us have been opposing the newer math programs in public schools for many years. We have been urging the schools to return to the traditional Math programs that made America great. When I attended public school in the 50's, Math was taught by what now is referred to as the "Drill & Skill" method that is ridiculed by our educational elitists. We learned by repetition, timed drills, paying attention, etc..

Now you have a story of a "new" system from Japan. The Kumon Math program is presented as a possible salvation from overseas that will allow our children to crawl up from 28th place on worldwide math tests.

Why can't you admit that this "Kumon" system in no more than the old American system that allowed our nation to rise from a colony of Great Britain to the greatest nation on earth in less than 200 years. Our nation was using the "Kumon" system long before Mr. Kumon was ever born!!!

Why is it that you discount everything that our nation has ever done and applaud foreign nations for using what is essentially an American system. Why is it that when Japan uses our old Math system, to rise to the 1st place in Math tests, you applaud it as "bright", "new" and Japanese, while at the same time condemning our old system (the very same as the Kumon system) as "old" and "outdated?"

Have any of you ever heard of journalistic integrity? Do you think if we have Japan introduce our old system of teaching English, and call it the Sony System, we can produce children who can read and write?

You people are pathetic! You bring America bashing to new levels and we are expected to thank the Japanese for giving us back our own traditional Math.