Concern regarding the inclusion of Dr. Camilla Benbow on the National Mathematics Advisory Panel

Dear President Bush and Secretary of Education Spellings,

While we are pleased that you recognize the importance of strengthening mathematics education, and have shown this by appointing a National Mathematics Advisory Panel, we unfortunately must register our objection to the inclusion of Dr. Camilla Benbow on the panel.

Dr. Benbow is best known for the hypothesis that there are intrinsic gender differences in favor of males at the highest level of mathematical performance. There is substantial evidence against this highly controversial hypothesis, and significant criticism of the methodology of Dr. Benbow's work in this area.

It would be unfortunate if the work of the Panel were to be disregarded because of an actual or perceived bias against women. We urge the removal of Dr. Benbow from the panel.

Respectfully yours,