The United States is falling behind other developed countries in terms of mathematical
skills (Provasnik et al., 2009). An international study of mathematics instructional approaches
revealed the consistent success of Singapore students on international measures of mathematics
(Hoven & Garelick, 2007). In an effort to improve the mathematics abilities of students in the
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United States, the Singapore approach to mathematics instruction heavily influenced the
development of the Common Core State Standards (National Governors Association Center for
Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010c) used throughout much of the
United States (Hoven & Garelick, 2007).