Traditional Textbooks

Critics of the "reform" textbooks and curricula support "traditional" textbooks such as Singapore Math and Saxon math, which emphasize procedural mathematics, such as arithmetic calculation, by providing step-by-step examples skill exercises. However, even many traditional textbooks such as Saxon math usually include some projects and exercises meant to address the NCTM Standards.

Supporters of the "reform" curricula say that the "traditional textbooks contain very little content or methods outside the field of traditional mathematics, and they make little use of sophisticated graphic calculators, or pictures of many diverse cultural or disabled groups.