Norton has led the most recent wave of opposition to the math programs. He has collected petitions, distributed fliers, researched curriculum and paid for radio advertisements denouncing the district's math programs.

Norton said he was satisfied with the subcommittee's decision on Thursday.

"Even though they handed it off to the education committee, I feel like bringing math education to Utah of high-quality standards is the most important thing we can (do) right now."

Brigham Young University mathematics professor David Wright on Monday discussed the state's math requirements with lawmakers.

"The state core (curriculum), I believe, supports the Alpine program," Wright said. "If you were to get the elementary math (teacher) endorsement program, you could look at it and the math is almost trivial. It's mostly about pedagogy."

Wright, who testified in front of the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee, is concerned that students are not learning arithmetic, which he said must be mastered if they undertake algebra.

He also believes students should learn and understand traditional algorithms. He's opposed to so-called "invented algorithms" in which students are encouraged to solve problems creatively, such as with base 10 blocks or clever "number tricks."

Wright does not believe the state's math requirements are rigorous enough.

"Surprisingly, Utah is the second highest in the nation in the number of eighth-graders taking algebra, but we are still low in achievement," Wright said, pointing out that Utah students in algebra I are not required to solve quadratic equations. "Our state math core only goes through linear equations."

His recommendation: Make math harder.

"The easiest thing to do to improve math in Utah is to improve our standards," he said. "Compared with everything else, it costs almost nothing."

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E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com