New Math assumed young students had a capacity for mental abstraction that most young students simply lacked. Also, like every other reform, it suffered becaus

New Math assumed young students had a capacity for mental abstraction that most young students simply lacked. Also, like every other reform, it suffered because math illiterate parents (who know basic by rote by more) didn't understand their kids' curriculum. Students with high aptitude (including many here on HN) thrived in New Math and became among the highest achievers in adult mathematical activity.