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The Math Wars Cometh: Is Common Core Dumbing Down Math?

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Debate has raged for years over how to teach math. Should students memorize multiplication tables and algorithms? Should teachers encourage students to “discover” math processes themselves? What about using calculators?

Those debates have waxed and waned over the years, but now the Common Core curriculum might fan the fires once more.

As a part of Slate.com’s continuing look at science and math education, writer Konstantin Kakaes argues that math is poorly taught and that the Common Core standards and curriculum will only make it worse.

Too much emphasis is placed on making math ‘fun,’ without the necessary drills needed to truly grasp certain math concepts, he contends. Kakaes uses the analogy of a basketball player practicing foul shots. It’s not fun. It’s tedious. But it’s necessary.

What do you think?

This post originally appeared on EWA’s now-defunct online community, EdMedia Commons.

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