Curtis C. McKnight passed from this life September 11, 2021 after a long period of diabetic complications. He was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1944 to Maxine and Curtis L. McKnight. He earned a BS in mathematics from Harding University, an MS in mathematics from Western Illinois University and his PhD in Mathematics Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
He met Michelynn Smith at church and they were married in 1968. He and Michelynn made Norman their home in 1981 when he joined the Oklahoma University Department of Mathematics Faculty. He served as the Associate Department Chair for a while and retired as an Emeritus Professor in 2011.
Mathematics education was his passion and to that end he researched and taught the best evidence based instruction methods. Within the OU Mathematics Department, he worked intensely with many doctoral students, most of whom were teaching assistants, to research questions about the undergraduate mathematics curriculum and teaching. He eventually developed a Mathematics Education PhD program within the department. Over twenty years he was a U.S. Coordinator and played other major roles in two very large international research projects: SIMS (Second International Mathematics Study) and TIMSS (Third International Math and Science Study). Those studies, mostly funded by the participating countries’ governments, investigated student achievement, teacher performance, curricula and textbooks in more than 100 countries at three education levels corresponding roughly to what are the 4th, 8th and 12th grade levels in the United States schools. He authored or co-authored hundreds of presentations and journal publications from those studies as well as many books, including: Why Schools Matter, The Underachieving Curriculum, Many Visions, Many Aims: a Cross-National Investigation of Curricular Opportunity, A Splintered Vision: An Investigation of U.S. Science and Mathematics Education, Inequality for All: the Challenge of Unequal Opportunity in American Schools, Curriculum Framework for Mathematics and Science and Facing the Consequences: Using TIMSS for a Closer Look at U.S. Mathematics and Science Education.
An Elder at First Christian Church of Norman, he taught church school Bible classes for more than three decades, served on the Education Committee and treasured the church’s inclusive spirit in its reverent, thoughtful, loving quest for faith.
His parents, Norman residents for thirty years, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, his brother-in-law Timothy Smith, his sister-in-law Sherry Smith, many cousins, three nephews and a niece.
The Reverend David Spain will officiate at a live streamed and recorded memorial service November 19 at First Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Christian Church of Norman at fccnorman.org
He will be missed for his lively and engaging conversations punctuated by his knife sharp and sarcastic wit!
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