re: (Not Common Core)-- Why are they teaching math this way?

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Depends on the teacher - some teachers say grouping as 'regrouping' in subtraction which would involve more of a traditional method of subtracting at the '1' spot, then the '10' spot.

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I don't believe this ever ceases to be applicable. It's a goofy name, but we learn all kinds of crazy concepts in advanced maths. Why not name the concepts taught in the simple math?

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Grouping in adding tends to be making groups of 10 with individual pieces (large blocks vs small blocks) and degrouping in subtraction where we break the 10 spot down into single pieces to aggregate with the 1 spot and subtract that location.

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I find this method to be kind of like the number line but less intuitive. I thought of it kind of like a "crutch." "Yeah, sure, I could do it that way. But can't I just do what it says instead?" I couldn't understand then that it's not intuitive to all people. I get the concept now that some need more instruction than others. I think it's not necessarily a bad method, but I do view it as kind of a "crutch on the way to understanding." If kids are able to find their own, correct method of performing math operations, ability to regurgitate mundane processes that aren't necessary shouldn't be necessary. But, then again, you have to grade across the board and that is difficult when there is such an array of ability and understanding in the room, and one way of showing that you're able to perform the operation is to make the basic method make sense. So I guess it isn't terrible, just another non-integral concept that aids in understanding.

Put another way, all kids who fully understand the concept of subtraction will understand grouping. Not all kids who understand grouping will fully understand how to perform subtractions.