[FredZarguna]

Common core math is structured around the [erroneous] belief that kids learn simply by being exposed to higher level concepts and that no practice is required.

This statement is correct.

Learning at such a high level is great for kids who are really bright and motivated

This statement is false.

Really bright kids have the same issues that poorly motivated or less gifted children have with this approach to mathematics. The history, which we started accumulating in 1963 with the advent of "New Math" is clear: teaching conceptual mathematics at the starting point does not work in any cohort. It is simply less damaging to smarter people, who are able to recover from misteaching. That's all.

[Principled]

The statement you lifted was only part of my statement.

Learning at such a high level is great for kids who are really bright and motivated - but as aptitude and motivation reduces so must the methods for helping kids learn... simply a sliding scale. The brighter and more motivated a kid is, the more advanced/conceptual he can absorb and the less drill/rote he needs. The less capable and less motivated [most of what kids are today], the less advanced/conceptual he can absorb and the more drill/rote memory he needs.

I stand by my full statement.

Really bright kids have the same issues that poorly motivated or less gifted children have with this approach to mathematics.

That statement is true - but neglects that the brighter need less drill practice. Hence my "sliding scale" post.