You are right on target - memorization is the key that seems to be lost in public schools. I have a young woman in my organization that is on full scholarship to Washington University that didn't know what 8X7 was. I absolutely hate math but I remember having to memorize times tables until they stuck. I think the "new" math stinks.
I have a note I keep on my bulletin board as a reminder of what "great" education we have in our country. A teacher with a masters degree gave the following note to a friend of mine when giving instructions on a woodworking project.
Be shure to pre dril befor nailing.
That is so sad I can't even qualify it as funny.