{mm WhyBasic Math Skills Matter Today by Andrea Pastorok, Ph.D. (NAPSA)—Theequation has not changed, even though teaching methods have—learning basic math skills still adds up to school success. Through the 1950s, the school math curriculum taught math basics—addition, subtraction, ae multiplication, diviy sion, fractions and decimals through drills and repetition. Accuracy and efficiency mattered. Then came the new math, which Dr. Pastorok focused on helping students understand the process of doing math. It soon fell out of favor. A new wave of progressive math programs emerged that emphasized understanding processes and principles over performing calculations, but because the programs left out basic skills—such as multiplying twodigit numbers and dividing fractions—many parents and math scholars feared that schools were producing a generation of mathilliterate children. Without these basic skills, students may be illprepared for higher level math. As a result, many parents have turned to supplemental education programs such as Kumon Math & Reading Centers to augment their children’s understanding of math and prepare them for high school courses such as Algebra. Recently The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics revised its standards bringing back oldfashioned arithmetic and the memorization of the multiplication tables. The organization also reintroduced two key terms used by Kumon:accuracy andefficiency. Understanding math concepts and processes is important, but is of little value if a student lacks the basic skills to put math into practice. To succeed in Algebra, children need a strong foundation in the four operations of mathematics and strong mental calculation skills. If a student does not succeed in Algebra, he or she may lack a strong foundation in basic math or have poor mental calculation skills. These skills must be achieved before high school. If a child is struggling with basic math concepts, high school math can only be moredifficult. U.S. schools routinely update education standards for students. Starting in 2004, California students will have to pass Algebra as a high school graduation requirement. There are currently 17 states that require such exit exams for students to receive their diploma, with many others moving in that direction. Dr. Pastorok is an educational specialist with Kumon Math and Reading Centers. She has a doctorate in educational psychology, a master’s degree in counseling psychology and more than 30 years experience in academic settings.
