John Saxon (educator)

John Saxon (1923 – 1996) was an American educator and author best known for his unorthodox approach to teaching mathematics, particularly algebra and calculus. He challenged the prevailing "spiral method" of teaching mathematics, which introduced concepts briefly and then revisited them later, advocating instead for a method of incremental development and continuous review.

Saxon's textbooks, published by Saxon Publishers (later acquired by Harcourt Achieve), emphasized incremental learning, distributed practice, and a reliance on clear, concise explanations. His textbooks were often criticized by mainstream educators for being overly repetitive and drill-oriented, and for lacking real-world applications and conceptual understanding. However, they were also praised by many parents and teachers for their effectiveness in helping students achieve proficiency in mathematics, particularly those who struggled with traditional methods.

Saxon's background was not in education; he was a test pilot and engineer before becoming a mathematics instructor at a community college. His experiences in these fields influenced his approach to teaching, which emphasized problem-solving and practical application of knowledge. He began writing his own textbooks after becoming dissatisfied with the textbooks available at the time.

Saxon's methods remain a subject of ongoing debate in mathematics education. While his textbooks are still used in some schools and homeschool settings, they are less widely adopted than they were in the past. His legacy continues to spark discussion about effective strategies for teaching mathematics and the role of rote memorization and practice in learning.