How the incompetent enlightens the ignorant, by Alexander Borisovich
About a decade ago, “Primary Math”, a program for grades 1-6, as well as its companion math
program for Kindergarten, were imported from Singapore to the US soil. They are indeed excellent
programs, correct mathematically, and can be used in a simple and very efficient way for bringing kids
to mastery of basic math. I was using it with my son, and can report that not only it worked for him,
but being thereby forced to think, I myself have learned to understand a myriad of mathematical
subtleties which a first-time learner needs to absorb, and which all become indiscernible from a more
advanced standpoint.
However, the history of Singapore math programs in the US actually leads to the following sad
conclusion: For bringing the basic math education in the US up from that deep hole in which it is
lying, neither Singapore math, nor anything else would help. Ignorance is invincible – judge for
yourself