And by "remarkably bad" I mean, "It doesn't learn at all."

The new math failed miserably twice before. Sure, you can blame it on a "lack of teacher training" OR you could realize that it's just a bad idea. Teach kids the easy/easier way, then once they know they can do it, then you explain why the rules work the way they do. Simple.

I also take issue with the statement that "The larger problem is that American schools do not produce strong math students..." That's just not true. When these companies are complaining they can't find anyone to fill the jobs they're offering, they're more likely saying "We can't find anyone willing to take these jobs at these salaries we're offering."