Cardinal Fang - In my mind, there’s no question that many of the techniques taught as part of common-core math are good things to know and can help build arithmetical intuition if they are mastered. But I think that’s the wrong standard to apply.
The question isn’t “is it good math?”; the question is “is it good pedagogy?”. Teaching very young students who have a wide range of ability levels is very tricky. I have no idea whether “bridge to 10”, “doubles”, etc. will confuse or enlighten the average 2nd grader.
[ul]
[li]If I had to guess, being taught these techniques will help the top 5-10% of typical 2nd graders. [/li]
[li]I am certain that I have no idea whatsoever if it will help or hurt the average student, much less the bottom 10% of the class. However, I do suspect it will hurt the bottom 10% of students.[/li]
[li]I am almost as certain that the people who developed the common core have no idea if it will help the average student either (despite the supposed “research” they have done). Just as with the “New Math”, I suspect it will take 10-15 years for us to find out the answer.[/li][/ul]
My kids are too old for it to affect them. By the time my grand-kids are in 2nd grade we will probably know whether this latest fad is a good thing or a bad thing, though there will probably be another fad by then …