ABSTRACT
Today’s educational climate is not too different than what it was 4 decades ago. Our students are again finding themselves falling behind other developing countries in the areas of math and science. The education departments in state and local governments have responded by increasing control over curriculum. Many students arrive in classrooms able to pass the year-end test before the year even begins and are given few opportunities to experience rigor. The major responsibility of the teacher is to help the student understand the structure and meaning of his or her subject. State standards are now the guide for curriculum development as well as the end goal.
