[E. Pluribus Unum]

This is the same thing as "whole word" reading, which has resulted in generations of public school graduates who can't read.

A firm understanding of mathematics is fundamental to scientific and technical excellence.

If all you want to do is prepare people to flip burgers, then you are correct.

If you want to prepare them to be engineers or financially literate human beings.

[no gnu taxes]

A firm understanding of mathematics is fundamental to scientific and technical excellence.

I can't respond to to everyone here, so I will will respond to your's.

Does rote following of an algorithm give you a firm understanding of mathematics?

Exactly at what point in in you education did you understand why these algorithms worked or even what an algorithm was?