Using John Saxon's Math Books - How homeschool parents can use them

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Art Reed has more than twelve years of Saxon teaching experience at a rural high school in Enid, Oklahoma. Using John Saxon's math books, he taught high school mathematics from Algebra ½ through Calculus . He was instrumental in raising the school's average math ACT scores from 13.4 to 21.9 in just four years. The school's scores were above the national average of 20.2 - and this was more than twenty years ago! Besides exceeding the national averages in math ACT scores, the high school also had more than ninety percent of their seniors taking math courses that were above algebra one. Additionally, the actual number of high school students taking the ACT tests had tripled!

Sometime later, while teaching mathematics at the local university, he asked for and received permission from the university to use John Saxon's Algebra 2 textbook for the nontraditional students who were entering the university. These students had failed the college's math entrance exam. They needed a non-credit algebra course that would allow them to review high school algebra so they could understand and pass the credited college algebra course the following year. More than ninety percent of the adult students who enrolled in the non-credit Algebra 2 courses received a grade of C or better. They successfully passed the university's credited algebra course their first time the following year.

Art Reed retired from classroom teaching in 1999. Because of his hands-on experience and success with teaching from John Saxon's math books, he was asked to assume duties as the curriculum advisor in the Home School Division of Saxon Publishers, for the upper level math textbooks from Math 76 through Calculus and Physics. His experiences and depth of knowledge regarding John Saxon's math curriculum have enabled him to advise and assist parents and educators at all levels on how to successfully get the most from their Saxon textbooks and to ensure that their students received a quality education in mathematics.

During the past several decades, Art Reed has become well known for his sound curriculum advice to homeschool parents. He has come to be known as an experienced curriculum advisor for John Saxon's math textbooks from Math 76 through Calculus and Physics . Homeschool parents using Saxon math textbooks have come to ask for him by name to seek his valued advice and assistance. He has established the same professional reputation among school administrators and teachers for his assistance in helping them establish a quality Saxon math program within their school districts.

Art Reed was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1936. He attended private Lutheran schools in Chicago through high school, graduating in 1954. In the fall of that same year, he enlisted in the United States Army. He spent more than twenty-seven years in the U.S. Army, both enlisted and commissioned service, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1981. While on active duty, he served with the U.S. Army Special Forces, including two combat tours of duty with them in the Republic of Vietnam (1963 - 1965).

While assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam, he received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm. He also was awarded the Air Medal and the Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB). Among his other military decorations are the Soldiers Medal [awarded for heroism not involving direct contact with an armed enemy], the Legion of Merit, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He is a Master Parachutist with more than 200 parachute jumps.

Art Reed's non-combat military assignments included duties in the U.S. Army Research Office, Office of the Chief of Research and Development, the Office of the Army Chief of Staff, and the Congressional Liaison Office in Washington, D.C.

He is a qualified nuclear weapons officer, as well as an engineer and mathematician, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University, and later earning a second degree in mathematics from Phillips University.

Art and his wife Judy have been married for more than fifty years. They reside in Enid, Oklahoma, as do their two daughters and their families, which include five grandchildren.