To assess the possibility of another round of curriculum reform in mathematics, the origin of U.S. curriculum reform in the 1950s, including the new math programs, are examined. It is not likely that new crash programs aimed at curriculum reform in mathematics education will be implemented nationwide in the 1980s. (RM)

If a major objective of general education is to make children capable of understanding their worlds and of solving technical problems, then mathematics instruction must be provided for all children. However, historical analyses suggest that educators cannot expect great success in implementing this "mathematics for all" orientation in…