New Math Approach Isn't New to Art Teachers

Regarding the opinion-page column "Learning to Love Math," July 30: I was fortunate to receive art education throughout my schooling. This comes to mind now as I see art and music programs being cut all over the country. Project IMPACT, described in the column, is about improving math achievement. Some of the methods are very familiar: "cognitive reasoning with shapes, colors, and sizes" and "tell me about this picture." For decades, art teachers have been doing exactly this, and more, without special funding or enhanced teacher training. The irony is, of course, that because this is described as a math program, it is seen as innovative and gets attention. Why not look to the expertise of art educators to encourage ways of thinking and looking at the world for all of our students in all of their studies? Barbara F. Towl, Dover-Foxcroft, Maine Letters are welcome. Only a selection can be published, subject to condensation, and none acknowledged. Please address them to "Readers Write," One Norway St., Boston, MA 02115.