I have found that actually looking AT the new Common Core Standards for Mathematical Content and Practice can give great insight into why math has changed so much. So much is in the media about how bad these math standards are, but if one really takes a closer look and the actual standards, it does not seem all gloom and doom.
Want to look at a few key pieces from the standards that will help you understand their math homework a bit more? Here are a few key pages and links to the actual standards too!
Mathematics Content Standards: http://www.corestandards.org/Math/
Standards for Mathematical Practice: http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Practice/
