The book attempts to balance such concerns. Take, for instance, the controversy about the comparative importance of learning basic skills and understanding the concepts behind the skills. Without the ability to compute effectively, students' ability to solve complex and interesting problems is limited. Other sections take on the relationship between understanding and fluency, arguing that fluency is best developed on a strong conceptual base. This reasoned position, carefully developed with wide input and based on research, provides focus for continued discussion, reflection, and refinement of our classroom practices.
Effective teachers understand what students know and challenge students to keep learning.
Improving school mathematics education is a continuing effort. Thus, a number of initiatives related to Principles and Standards have already begun. Meanwhile, other groups within the Council are working to capitalize and build on Principles and Standards . One group will coordinate efforts to reach out to administrators. Another, the Standards Impact Research Group, will consider how the overall process of Standards -based education improvement set forth in the document can be better understood and subsequently refined to meet the goal of improving students' learning.