There are many problems with this directive. Speed and memorization are two directions that we urgently
need to move away from, not towards. Just as problematically ‘Engage New York’ links the memorization
of number facts to students’ understanding of more complex functions, which is not supported by research
evidence. What research tells us is that students understand more complex functions when they have number
sense and deep understanding of numerical principles, not blind memorization or fast recall (Boaler,
2009). I am currently working with PISA analysts at the OECD. The PISA team not only issues international
mathematics tests every 4 years they collect data on students’ mathematical strategies. Their data
from 13 million 15-year olds across the world show that the lowest achieving students are those who focus
on memorization and who believe that memorizing is important when studying for mathematics (Boaler &
Zoido, in press). This idea starts early in classrooms and is one we need to eradicate. The highest achievers
in the world are those who focus on big ideas in mathematics, and connections between ideas. Students
develop a connected view of mathematics when they work on mathematics conceptually and blind memorization
is replaced by sense making.