[iammisc]

You are correct, but this explanation is cultural and sociological, not logical.

We must motivate math, absolutely. And to do so in my opinion starts with socratic questioning. You must convince the student that such an inquiry is even worthwhile.

One thing I'll point out is that we're not just seeing this in math. We see it in every field. More and more kids every year are insisting ( and their teachers are agreeing) that we can do away with inquiries into the English language and the humanities as well. There is a small, but continuing, effort to remove the knowledge of English masters like shakespeare and classic philosophers and treatises from the curriculum.

As a whole, American schooling fails to motivate learning of any kind. Math was the first victim, but the other subjects are also failing.

[horsawlarway]

Sure, but we're in a thread talking about why some folks are choosing to send kids to "Russian" style maths teachers.

The whole discussion is from the perspective of the cultural and sociological.

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As an aside, I generally agree with you about american schooling. I think it's less a concerted effort, and more a sad reality of the fact that modern schools have essentially become federally funded child care in the US.

[iammisc]

> federally funded child care in the US.

Indeed... As my mother was told by her principal in her inner city school for poor minority kids... "We're just here to watch them until they go to prison".