Is There a System of Teaching?

The old system was systematic. It was building upon itself from the previous years. You had the same teacher for all years there, unless something drastic happened. So this kind of continuity of teachers was essential in us. But by endlarge, teachers are overwhelmed with other things tha t they have to do in school. And so you end up with teachers who are doing mathematics that they may not themselves truly believe. Only the toughest, the most creative ones get out of this. I cannot quite see how to institute such a rigorous, systematic system in the united states where different states cannot agree on some common standards.