One of the major problems with "the system" is that we keep trying to find one way to teach all children. We try method 1 for several years until it proves to be a failure for 30% of the kids. So, we try method 2 for several years until it proves to be a failure for 30% of the kids. So, we try method 3 and on and on. The truth is not all people think the same way. If you give a math problem to 6 people, they will work that problem in about 4 different ways.
New Math is horribly awkward for me. I have to "translate" it to my way. When teaching children, you have to find the way they "see" it and present it to them in their "language." If you are talking to them in an awkward language, it will never feel right to them and they will always second-guess, feel insecure. I'm not a teacher, but I am an instructor and tutor. You can't teach the class without teaching the individual. It is difficult to explain, but it is like teaching or even explaining music (math especially).
The problem I have with common core is the pressure on the youngest. We teach phonics in kindergarten now: vowel diagraphs, dipthongs, controlled vowels, etc. They are too young to focus for 6 hours so they miss a LOT of it. When they get to 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade, they can't read fluently so bomb the comprehension portions as well (because they can't get through the passage). These children do not understand that failing (at a task, not meaning failing school) is part of learning and living. They do not yet have the coping skills and they shut down ... at 7 years old. It is sad, and we have to convince them they are not idiots.
Problem 2: teaching to the test sucks. We don't drill them to memorize their tables (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) anymore. That takes 15 minutes a day every day and we don't have that time anymore. As a result, we've got 9th graders counting on their fingers ffs or drawin 8 rows of 8 circles and counting them up. They can't finish an algebra test in time. Many schools aren't teaching cursive handwriting at all because it isn't on standardized tests.
I asked a 2nd grade teacher how it was going at the end of last year and was horrified to hear, "A third of my class is medicated."
P.S. If you want to help your child, build up their confidence. Tell them they aren't stupid. Two simple fixes that will solve most of their problems are filling in their phonics (when 2 vowels go walking, the first vowel does the talking, he says his name, and the 2nd vowel is shy and silent ... as in eat, goat, etc ... little analogies they understand) and memorize the math tables.
