More than 15 years after its publication of influential national standards in mathematics, a leading professional organization has unveiled new and more focused guidelines that describe the crucial skills and content students should master in that subject in elementary and middle school. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics released "Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8 Mathematics," a document that supporters hope will encourage the polyglot factions of state and local school officials, textbook publishers, and teachers to set clearer, more common goals for math learning. The new document reflects an attempt to overcome those conflicts and focuses on a number of crucial, agreed-upon concepts. Furthermore, it is stated that "Focal Points" is not meant to replace the previous standards, but rather serve as a next step offering more focused help in the earlier grades. It includes links showing where the previous standards are covered. The guidance is being released at a time when improving math and science education is receiving significant attention at the federal level, where elected officials and senior appointees see a need to produce more highly skilled workers and gird the United States against rising foreign economic competition.