Most elementary and middle-school teachers like Common Core math, according to a new Fordham survey. However, teachers “also say that pupils are ‘frustrated’ by having to learn multiple methods of solving a problem, and they worry that some have ‘math anxiety’ (especially in grades 6–8).”
In addition, 85 percent of teachers say that “reinforcement of math learning at home is declining because parents don’t understand the way that math is being taught.”
Middle-school teachers, who are specialists in math, are more negative about the new standards’ impact than elementary teachers.
. . . 61 percent of K–2 teachers say they have fewer or about the same number of “students who have math anxiety” than before the CCSS-M, and 68 percent agree that “students are developing a stronger capacity to persevere in math and come up with solutions on their own.” It’s the middle school teachers who report more distress.
“Once upon a time, teachers shut their doors and did their own thing,” Fordham concludes. “Now we have many instructors teaching to the same high standards nationwide. This is something to celebrate.”