My children are very gifted in math anyway (dad is an engineer) but in order to prevent any future problems we decided to enroll them in Kumon and haven't regretted it for one second. I tried all I could do to educate the other parents about the extreme deficiencies in this math system but nobody seemed to care. Now their children entering the 5th grade with my son don't even know their multiplication tables and my 10 year old is starting Algebra in Kumon.
I've compiled a list of great websites of groups in various states that are trying to fight the constructivist math advocates if you are interested I will post them.
I am a math teacher in a private Christian School. My duties include teaching upper level math and science courses for college credit. These are introductory college courses identical to those offered at our local community college. I find that my students cannot do the mathematics required to do these courses. They are woefully ill-prepared in both algebra and arithemtic—I must take precious class time to remediate these kids—and these are high-achievers!
Most of the blame lies not with the students, as they are hardworking and willing to learn. The blame lies with the New York state curriculum. The curriculum uses a technique called cycling, which means the teachers hop from topic to topic, never dealing with anything in depth. Too much time is wasted in review. There is also the push to be fun and relevant—our own district actually BRAGGED that it no longer troubles the poor kids by demanding third-graders learn times tables.
There is also a trend toward cooperative learning (very chick-friendly). So awful is this program that fully 65% of our districts’ students failed the first Math A (9th grade) exam when the course was offered in 2000. There is a parent group at one local public high school whose name is “teach our kids math”.
The final straw is the push in new york against elitism. Honors courses in math do not exist—yet “tracking” is ok in sports and in music—after all, who wants their band to sound bad or their sports team to lose?
What a parent can do is to get involved, I guess. And find individual teachers who are good. And investigate private schools.
I’d also like to see your list - thanks!