Reading First Initiative Model for Math Instruction?

In reading an article in improving the teaching of mathematics, they discussed the federal program of the Reading First Initiative that began its work over 10 years ago and has had over a $1 bilion a year grant program from the feds. According to the article, this panel recommended a nationwide "push for greater coherence in math instruction." NCTM has published "Curriculum Focal Points", a document that should help address how mathematics should be taught, especially at the early grades. I, frankly, am a proponent of basic skills and automatic recall so that the students of algebra can concentrate on problems of algebra and not on seven times eight. I also feel this parallel's the Reading First Program of teaching basic skills and how phonics connects to letters in the alphabet.