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How 'Bama got better in math: Crunching numbers, coaching teachers pays off
Fourth-grade math scores are way up in a rural Alabama county that's turned to data analysis and coaching to improve learning.
Joanne Jacobs
Mar 182 min read
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In search of the 'science of math'
Is learning math really like learning to ride a bicycle?
Joanne Jacobs
Feb 243 min read
5 comments

Charter network trains -- and pays -- parents to teach reading
A Denver charter network has trained parents to work as reading tutors.
Joanne Jacobs
Feb 171 min read
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The way back: Refocus on things schools can do
Schools need to focus on teaching academics rather than trying to end injustice or combat climate change.
Joanne Jacobs
Feb 52 min read
8 comments


Getting better: How Louisiana is raising reading and math scores
How Louisiana is raising reading scores and hoping to improve math achievement.
Joanne Jacobs
Feb 33 min read
4 comments


Catholic schools ace NAEP
Catholic school students are one to two years ahead of public students in reading and math.
Joanne Jacobs
Jan 311 min read
5 comments

Reading, math scores are out: 'The news is not good'
Reading scores are still falling on the "nation's report card," while math scores are the same.
Joanne Jacobs
Jan 292 min read
5 comments


Return of the nerds: US should honor mathletes as much as athletes
Honor mathletes and science fair winners or plan to import a lot of high-tech immigrants.
Joanne Jacobs
Jan 22 min read
3 comments


U.S. math scores show 'devastating' decline
U.S. students are doing much worse in math, while some other countries are improving.
Joanne Jacobs
Dec 5, 20242 min read
7 comments


Want equity? Teach more math, not less
As a math teacher in the early 2000s, Adrian Mims saw few Black and Hispanic students succeeding in Brooklin (MA) High School's honors...
Joanne Jacobs
Oct 10, 20242 min read
8 comments


Discovering math: How do you know 75% is more than 50%?
I remember when "the new math" was new. It was supposed to teach kids to understand math, not just go through the motions. I'd just...
Joanne Jacobs
Aug 29, 20242 min read
6 comments


'Locking in' learning loss: Math grades didn't return to pre-pandemic normal
Grade inflation soared when learning went remote, writes Amber Northern. Lax requirements to turn in work, fewer graded assignments, and...
Joanne Jacobs
Aug 6, 20241 min read
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When 96% pass science, but only 16% meet standards on the test
San Diego 11th-grade students are passing classes, but failing proficiency tests.
Joanne Jacobs
Jun 14, 20241 min read
5 comments


Sold a story problem: Start simple, build mastery, says Jump Math founder
Jamal and Maria don't have any apples. Aidan has three Fujis from the supermarket and Olivia has five Honeycrisps from Trader Joe's....
Joanne Jacobs
Jun 4, 20242 min read
3 comments


You may already be a loser!
American kids have too much self-esteem, argues Bill Maher.
Joanne Jacobs
May 25, 20241 min read
7 comments


It's 'MATH-ish' -- but is it math?
Stanford will not investigate a complaint accusing Education Professor Jo Boaler of “reckless disregard for accuracy” by misrepresenting...
Joanne Jacobs
May 7, 20243 min read
6 comments


Kids can learn a lot more math -- and have fun -- in kindergarten
Kindergarten math may be too easy, writes Holley Korbey for the Hechinger Report. The focus is on reading. Math expectations are low. In...
Joanne Jacobs
May 6, 20241 min read
1 comment


DIY math: Many high school teachers rewrite the curriculum
Many teachers are creating -- or downloading -- their own math materials, according to a recent survey, writes Hechinger's Jill Barshay....
Joanne Jacobs
May 6, 20241 min read
3 comments


Mathalicious: 'Out with negative numbers, in with positive feelings'
Numbers, multiplication and "right" answers are obsolete, 22nd-century-skills guru Paul Banksley tells Rick Hess. They're "not...
Joanne Jacobs
Apr 12, 20242 min read
13 comments


Maybe the cure to math anxiety is to teach kids math
Timed tests cause math anxiety, according to Jo Boaler, a Stanford math education professor who's been charged with "reckless disregard...
Joanne Jacobs
Apr 1, 20242 min read
4 comments
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