> we were never allowed to use calculators, and we did sheet after sheet after sheet of additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, polynomial expansio

> we were never allowed to use calculators, and we did sheet after sheet after sheet of additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, polynomial expansions, equation simplifications, etc. Both occur. I was very averse to the calculator use in the classroom, but from what I have seen that part of the curriculum is more about learning how to use a calculator than doing math with the assistance of a calculator. Memorization of arithmetic is still very important and focused on.