The 1990s “Math wars” are back in school admin offices. The question now is “How do California’s students learn Math?”
The spat is over adopting “common core standards” of education to be eligible for stimulus funds. Math teachers have strong ideas on how Math will be taught and these do not agree with what educators in general want.

Educators feel common standards will give the solid grounding kids need to understand the subject before moving on to the next level. In California, the opinion is, this will set the state backward in standards, something I had stated in a previous post.
Under the new rules, primary students would delve deep into concepts in Math and only then will move on to acquiring new skills. For example, Eiden’s sister will now learn multiplication in Grade IV and not in Grade III. She is not happy about the idea. She says she will get bored doing the same things over and over again.

The overall curriculum is some two and a half years behind those in Asia and Europe. In CA, it is one and a half years behind. CA mathematicians want their standards to be compared to the best in the world. They want Asian syllabi as their standards. We need to compete with Asians and Europeans to be competitive, they say, echoing the President’s words.

Californian mathematicians think the “common standard” dishes out a weak syllabus. Some hi-tech executives in the Silicon Valley feel the same way. They give this as example:
Since 1997, California standard has included Algebra in the 8^th grade syllabus. Parent shave made their wards take Algebra in the 8^th grade where it is not mandatory. Parents are sure this will help them in their readiness for college. Silicon Valley Education Foundation completely endorses this view.

But Hung-His Wu, Professor at UC Berkeley does not agree. He believes implementing the common standards is a sure way to approach math education, going step by step.
I think the problem should be looked at this way:

Those who are weak in Math must get remedial teaching, either through the school or through private online coaching. But the brighter ones should not be restricted by standards that do not challenge them sufficiently.
The idea should be to pull those who lag behind to international math standards in schools. Are we talking about innovative methods of teaching here?