This address, presented to the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics at their 1978 annual meetings, discusses poor mathematics scores in elementary grades and argues that they are the result of an outdated and outmoded elementary school mathematics curriculum. The origin of the standard mathematics curriculum is outlined and the challenges involved in changing it pointed out. Some of the needs for change are suggested and the general directions they must take indicated. Efforts being made in these directions are described. (MP)