What do you like about the way math is taught at your school?

[Anonymous]

At answer the what's good and replicable question, my DC loves the Continental Math League problems they do at school. Here's a link to the program: http://www.continentalmathematicsleague.com/cml.html

I don't think her school registers for the meets -- just has the kids do the problems which are interesting and challenging.

[Anonymous]

Well, if we don't start our pre-schoolers off with the absolutely bestest math curriculum, how will they get into that prestigious kindergarten? Then they'll be doomed to mediocrity forever! My gosh, if you listen to MoCo and Weast's 7 Keys to College Readiness, if kids don't memorize their times tables by 3rd grade, they'll never get into Algebra by 8th grade and then there is absolutely no chance they'll even get into college. Yep, if your 4 year old isn't on track, you might as well give up now. Of course, MY kids are doing the "correct" math curriculum so I KNOW they're guaranteed to get into any college they want. Boy, do I feel sorry for the rest of you suckers.

[Anonymous]

[quote=SAM2]I'm not a participant in the "math wars," but something I've never understood is why each side feels the need to insist that it's preferred curriculum is strong and all other curricula are absolutely terrible. My suspicion would be that each of the various modern curricula has its own particular strengths and weaknesses. None will be perfect, but most will be pretty good. The real determinative factors will be whether a particular teacher is adept at teaching the chosen curriculum and whether particular students happen to do well with that curriculum. Some teachers and some students will do better with some curricula than with others.

Why does everyone seem to adopt the "my way and no other" attitude? Is that just a function of human nature? Or is there some reason people are especially passionate about math curricula?[/quote]

Good point, but even if you look at the reform curricula (if that is your style), some are clearly better than others. Also, there is ample evidence that the quality of the teacher matters, but if your child happens to have a bad teacher (yes, private schools have some bad ones too), it is even more important to have a good text.
You might be interested in reading Feynman's Textbook Letter. These decisions can be made in such a sloppy way that it is scary.