When math holds as much promise, why, then it is so often accompanied by anxiety. Ten years ago, the most common reason given by students was a strong dislike of math. Today, it's more frequently stated as a fear that interferes with most attempts at communication, instruction and learning. There are students who are highly math competent buy are afraid of every mathematical steps they take, on the other hand there are other math illiterate adults who are cheerfully unconcerned about their math weaknesses. Test anxiety is the inability to function productively in math learning situations.
All attention is centered on the fear itself rather than the math that is being taught.
It's hard to learn anything when you are not able to pay attention. Math anxiety prevents people from learning it. A few good courses will not remedy the problem. The learned belief systems of our culture provide rational, understandable reasons for student failure, which accept the fact that strong, intelligent, competent students may fail math despite their admirable qualities. Let's look at these belief systems that operate within the American culture.