Zalman Usiskin is an educator best known as the Director of the
University of Chicago School Mathematics Project The University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) is a multi-faceted project of the University of Chicago in the United States, intended to improve competency in mathematics in the United States by elevating educational standards for chi ...
.
He was born to Nathan and Esther Usiskin.
A faculty member since 1969, he also has taught junior and senior high-school mathematics and has authored and co-authored many textbooks, including a six-volume series used as part of the University School Mathematics Project secondary curriculum. In recognition of his work, he has received a
Lifetime Achievement Award
Lifetime achievement awards are awarded by various organizations, to recognize contributions over the whole of a career, rather than or in addition to single contributions.
Such awards, and organizations presenting them, include:
A
* A.C. ...
from the
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Founded in 1920, The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) is a professional organization for schoolteachers of mathematics in the United States. One of its goals is to improve the standards of mathematics in education. NCTM holds an ...
.
Usiskin's
doctoral dissertation
A thesis (: theses), or dissertation (abbreviated diss.), is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.International Standard ISO 7144: D ...
in mathematical education at the
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...
involved the field testing of his book, ''
Geometry: A Transformation Approach'', which was written with
Arthur Coxford. This book has greatly influenced the way geometry is taught in many American high schools, according to the NCTM citation. With the founding of UCSMP in 1983, he became Director of the secondary component and has been the project's overall Director since 1987. The University School Mathematics Project has grown to become the nation's largest university-based curriculum project for kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics, with several million students using its elementary and secondary textbooks and other materials.
References
Profile at the University of Chicago
http://genealogy.math.ndsu.nodak.edu/id.php?id=130631
20th-century American mathematicians
21st-century American mathematicians
American mathematics educators
University of Michigan School of Education alumni
University of Chicago faculty
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
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