"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."

We should shout this from the rooftops. Very well said. Hope you don't mind if I use this paragraph in the future.

I absolutely agree with you that it is bunk about not enough good math students, along with all the STEM graduates. The fact that the GOP has slashed funding for research is a disgrace that gets little of no recognition by the media. These lies become so pervasive it creeps into articles like this. “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” -Mark Twain