Parents are concerned about their children's math learning. Teachers are concerned about math teaching. When parents see what children are bringing home under the new curriculum, it is clear that their children are not working on the same mathematics that parents remember from the time when they were in school. But, the problem goes beyond grades K-12. Post-secondary mathematics courses are the fear of many students. The standards created by the NCTM do not necessarily prepare students for success, either on SATs or in college. Besides lack of knowledge about mathematics education, many parents have an additional problem in that they feel they lack knowledge in mathematics itself. This is very intimidating; thus it is difficult for parents to do anything about the confusing state of mathematics education. This book provides some answers.

"Written by a mathematics educator to help parents and other interested parties understand the great debate about how to teach basic and advanced math." - School Library Connection, April/May 2005

"Latterell has done an excellent job of making the language in the book simple, straightforward, and easy to understand for the wides possible audience....It would be good to have a copy of Math Wars on hand to lend to parents, new teachers, or anyone interested in the current and future state of mathematics education." - Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, March 2006

"Parents and teachers interested in the cross-country debate about how to teach basic math won't want to miss the debate coverage in Math Wars: A Guide for Parents and Teachers. Here the heated issues between the NCTM curricula and traditional original curricula are discussed with an eye to understanding how kids learn math, what the differences are in what they are bringing home from the new curriculum, and why the standards created by the NCTM don't help prepare students for college. An intriguing survey of the many issues and theories involved in math teaching." - The Bookwatch, December 2005

"This book will annoy some people (and that is why it was a courageous to write it), but in its final attempt to be fair to both sides of the "Wars" it is a book from which one can learn, and thus a worthwhile book not only for parents and teachers, but for all who are concerned with the state of mathematics education in the USA." - Journal For Research In Mathematics Education

"Readers should read the entire book and understand that simple, balanced views in the midst of strife are difficult to attain. General audiences will gain insights; students of mathematics education and their teachers can read this with an eye toward unpacking the oversimplified. Recommended. General readers, graduate and professional collections." - CHOICE, July 2005

"Besides lack of knowledge about mathematics education, many parents have an additional problem in that they feel they lack knowledge in mathematics itself. This is very intimidating; thus it is difficult for parents to do anything about the confusing state of mathematics education. This book provides some answers." - Zentralblatt MATH