But even though some other countries get higher test scores, the fundamental mis-teaching and bad teaching of mathematics is international, it's standard. In some ways we're not as bad as some other countries. But I don't want to get into that right now. Let me state three possible philosophical attitudes towards mathematics. Platonism says mathematics is about some abstract entities which are independent of humanity.
Formalism says mathematics is nothing but calculations.
There's no meaning to it at all. You just come out with the right answer by following the rules. Humanism sees mathematics as part of human culture and human history. It's hard to come to rigorous conclusions about this kind of thing, but I feel it's almost obvious that Platonism and Formalism are anti-educational, and interfere with understanding, and Humanism at least doesn't hurt and could be beneficial. Formalism is connected with rote, the traditional method which is still common in many parts of the world.