Controversial Math Method Infiltrates L.A. Schools A presidential advisory panel is poised to issue guidelines that use "Singapore Math" methods to help students improve test scores. California was the first state to approve the technique.

Controversial Math Method Infiltrates L.A. Schools

Controversial Math Method Infiltrates L.A. Schools

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/88188852/88188832" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

A new way of teaching math is helping students at some Los Angeles schools improve their test scores. "Singapore Math" was controversial at first. Now a presidential advisory panel is poised to issue guidelines that use the method.

Massachusetts Makes Strides in Math Curriculum

Massachusetts Makes Strides in Math Curriculum

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/88154049/88161954" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

The "fuzzy" math lessons that kids come home with drive parents crazy and confuse even teachers. So, two years ago, alarmed by all of the fuzziness and U.S. students' lackluster performance on international math tests, the Bush administration asked a panel of experts to bring more coherence and depth to the math curriculum. But only one state has even come close to doing what the panel envisions: Massachusetts.