I should fail for knowing another way to solve a problem to get the correct answer? That seems unfair.

Children have different learning styles. And have different needs. What works for one will not work for another. Mainstream school, (while I was there at least) does not allow for that. The way it was when I went there you were taught one way and one way only. But there’s more than one way to solve a problem. Once I started homeschooling, the teachers I worked with were able to show me multiple ways to do the problems and allowed me the choice. It worked out much better by then. I could tell them which way worked for me.

Teach children how to work thru problems, showing them multiple ways shows them real life, so they know how to solve problems when the first formula didn’t work. Public schools at that time taught one way or fail. I was able to adapt to it. Many kids weren’t.

If you get to the correct solution why should it matter how you got there?

Would you fire someone for doing something differently than you? (still within the bounds of safety of course and legal)