The development of basic skills in innovative curricula must be clearly spelled out. Change is in peril when parents and administrators are not satisfied that basic skills are a part of the curriculum. The NCTM Standards documents have been greatly misinterpreted in this area. The real message is that the basics are still essential, but the basics have to encompass so much more to prepare students with the mathematics skills, concepts, procedures, and ways of thinking, reasoning, solving problems, and communicating needed for their future. Public support for the direction of change is essential for success.
Parents care deeply about education and want the best for their children.
Sometimes it seems as if parents are demanding that their children suffer mathematics in the same way that they did. But we should be hearing the genuine desire to help their children that is underneath their words. When parents cannot understand the problems that their students are being asked to do at home, they immediately assume that something is wrong. We need to reach out to parents and help them understand the goals of new instructional materials and help them help their children. Professional development that is curriculum-based has a greater chance of success in helping teachers improve teaching and learning.