New math

New Math is a term referring to a brief dramatic change in the way mathematics was taught in American grade schools during the 1960s. New Math emphasized more abstract concepts like set theory and number bases other than 10, rather than strictly being concerned with traditional mathematical concepts for those age groups. Many parents and teachers complained that the new curiculum was too far outside of student's ordinary experience and was not worth taking time away from fundamentals. In the end it was concluded that the experiment was not working, and New Math eventually fell out of favor before the end of the decade.

New Math is also the name of a song by Tom Lehrer which parodies the New Math teaching technique.