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The National Association of Scholars and Freedom in Education Release the Archimedes Math Standards
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The National Association of Scholars and Freedom in Education Release the Archimedes Math Standards
Model Standards Promote Academic Excellence and Restore Coherence in
preK–12 Mathematics

New York, NY; June 10, 2025—The National Association of Scholars (NAS) and Freedom in Education (FIE) proudly announce the publication of the Archimedes Standards ([link removed]) —a comprehensive set of model preK–12 mathematics standards designed to restore academic rigor, intellectual honesty, and instructional clarity to America’s classrooms.

Currently, math instruction in America has been guided by standards that are vague in content, fragmented in structure, and often rooted in experimental pedagogies rather than educational substance. As a result, national performance has suffered ([link removed]) : 73 percent of eighth-grade students fall below the targeted proficiency level in mathematics, and in every state across the country, less than 37 percent of eighth graders meet grade-level benchmarks. Internationally, the United States now ranks thirty-fourth in mathematics despite its vast investment in education. This decline is not coincidental; it is the direct consequence of standards that prioritize trends over truths, and relatability over rigor.

The Archimedes Standards respond decisively to this crisis. By offering a principled alternative, these standards equip students to think logically, master foundational skills, and approach the world with the confidence of clear reasoning. Inspired by the legacy of Archimedes—a thinker whose logic and creativity shaped the ancient and modern worlds—these standards return mathematics to its rightful place: as the cornerstone of rational thought, scientific progress, and economic strength.

“For too long, math education has been pulled away from solid foundations and led astray by fleeting trends and untested methods,” said Melissa Jackson, President of Freedom in Education. “The Archimedes Standards reclaim true mathematical rigor—offering clarity, depth, and integrity. They affirm the fundamental truth that every child deserves an education grounded in real knowledge, not diluted concepts or ideological distractions.”

These standards are not simply an academic framework—they are a declaration of educational renewal. Developed with an emphasis on arithmetic fluency, mental mathematics, and core procedural mastery, the Archimedes Standards are built deliberately from fundamentals to advanced mathematical thinking. They progress through a logical sequence from early numeracy to algebra, geometry, statistics, and eventually to topics such as precalculus and mathematical logic. Unlike the Common Core Standards for Mathematics ([link removed]) , which often deemphasize memorization and algorithmic fluency, the Archimedes Standards embrace foundational knowledge, prioritizing number sense and conceptual clarity alongside interdisciplinary learning and real-world applicability.

The Archimedes Standards are distinguished not only by their intellectual rigor but by their accessibility. Written in lucid, age-appropriate language, they feature a practical structure with key terms, consistent symbols, and an integrated glossary. This clarity makes them readily usable by teachers, understandable to parents, and transparent for students. They are equally suited to public schools, private institutions, charter networks, and homeschool settings, ensuring democratic access to high-quality mathematics instruction regardless of a student’s zip code or educational pathway.

“The decline in math achievement we’re witnessing is not an accident—it is the direct result of incoherent, relativistic standards,” said David Randall, NAS director of research and project coordinator of the Archimedes Standards. “Too many Americans have emerged from our schools ignorant of the basics of mathematical knowledge, mathematical reasoning, and mathematical habits and character. We have too few mathematically expert scientists, engineers, and technicians—and too few citizens with the mathematical knowledge to prepare themselves for college, career, and civic readiness. The Archimedes Standards are a return to sanity. They empower educators, respect families, and prepare students for the challenges of the real world.”

State academic standards are not mere policy documents. The influence of academic standards reaches far beyond the classroom. They shape textbooks, guide assessments, determine teacher preparation, and ultimately define what students know—and what they don’t. In recent years, many states have adopted standards based more on trends than on truth. Discovery learning, “real-world math,” and other fashionable but ineffective approaches have too often replaced substance with style, leaving students confused, teachers constrained, and parents shut out of the process.

“These are standards teachers can actually teach from,” said Assistant Professor of Education at Hillsdale College and project director of the Archimedes Standards, Jonathan Gregg. “They are carefully sequenced, free from political interference, and committed to the craft of real mathematical thinking. This is what our schools—and our students—desperately need.”

The stakes are especially high for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. When standards are vague or diluted, families with means can turn to tutors or private programs. Those without are left behind. The Archimedes Standards are a lifeline for these students. They deliver content that is challenging, attainable, and worthy of the American promise—that every child should be equipped to think clearly and rise confidently.

As other nations surge ahead in science, technology, and engineering, the United States stands at a crossroads. Freedom in Education and the National Association of Scholars call on state leaders, school boards, and policymakers to act: adopt standards that honor the dignity of teaching, the discipline of mathematics, and the destiny of a generation. Mathematics is not optional. It is the language of innovation, the engine of industry, and the scaffold of civilization itself. The time to act is now.

NAS is a network of scholars and citizens united by a commitment to academic freedom, disinterested scholarship, and excellence in American higher education. Membership in NAS is open to all who share a commitment to these broad principles. NAS publishes a journal and has state and regional affiliates. Visit NAS at www.nas.org.

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For more information about this issue, contact: David Randall, Director of Research, National Association of Scholars, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , or Sabrina Caserta, Media Director, Freedom In Education, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
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