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Experts outline challenges facing math instruction
Students with disabilities and non-native English speakers need thoughtful guidance; technology can play a role
Students with disabilities, as well as their teachers, need support in math classes.
Numerous studies point to a fact that cannot be ignored: U.S. students’ math and science performance trails that of several other countries, and the nation’s classrooms need qualified, committed teachers to help students with disabilities, English Language Learners (ELLs), and at-risk students succeed in higher-level math and science courses.
During the Texas Instruments T3 (Teachers Teaching with Technology) International Conference in late February, educators got the chance to learn how technology can be integrated into math and science instruction. The conference included sessions dedicated to the instruction of at-risk students, including those with disabilities and ELLs.
“Math disabilities … are quite significant in some students, and then less obvious in others, but they do exist,” said Dr. Phoebe Gillespie, director of the Personnel Improvement Center at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education.
For more information on improving math achievement, see:
Gillespie said math is one of the core subject areas in which both students with disabilities and their teachers struggle in particular.
“The preparation of teachers of students with disabilities has not included a good, firm foundation in mathematics—and especially not to teach algebra,” she said.
Many students with disabilities have poor auditory and visual memory skills, rendering them unable to remember basic math facts using typical mathematics instruction. Sequential memory problems, often found in students with an executive functioning disability, make it difficult for students to categorize and sequence numbers. Conceptual processing disabilities present a challenge when students try to understand math and algebraic concepts.
12 Responses to Experts outline challenges facing math instruction
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the_hill1962
April 1, 2011 at 10:58 am
kathy@myschoolware.com: Yes, there are some good programs that do quickly find the gaps but many of them don’t “fill” the gaps. I will check out your link.
trainer12: Yes, math phobia and anxiety are a problem. I don’t know why I don’t have it because I failed Algebra in the 8th grade and then only got a C retaking it in the 9th grade. May I ask you if you “understood” Calculus when you took it. You did state that you “learned” it. You stated that you did not “understand” Algebra until 23 years later.
the_hill1962
April 1, 2011 at 10:58 am
kathy@myschoolware.com: Yes, there are some good programs that do quickly find the gaps but many of them don’t “fill” the gaps. I will check out your link.
trainer12: Yes, math phobia and anxiety are a problem. I don’t know why I don’t have it because I failed Algebra in the 8th grade and then only got a C retaking it in the 9th grade. May I ask you if you “understood” Calculus when you took it. You did state that you “learned” it. You stated that you did not “understand” Algebra until 23 years later.
luba
April 5, 2011 at 5:53 pm
A timely article, indeed. You may wish to review a recent eSchool News best practices article about how one Texas school was able to increase the grade level gains of their students singificantly.
60% of students achieved gains of 1.5 grade levels or more after only 4 months on Ascend. 38% of students advanced 2 or more grade levels during that same time frame. Forty-five percent of the students who were at a high risk to fail the TX high stakes test (TAKS) PASSED! more
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/01/31/texas-district-takes-math-skills-to-the-next-level/
At an Arizona high school district of 9 schools, Algebra I failure rates decreased from 40% to 17% in the first semester using a product called Ascend Math. http://www.eschoolnews.com/video/?q=CT1wecDsedB7jo3IuOr4fw%3d%3d
luba
April 5, 2011 at 5:53 pm
A timely article, indeed. You may wish to review a recent eSchool News best practices article about how one Texas school was able to increase the grade level gains of their students singificantly.
60% of students achieved gains of 1.5 grade levels or more after only 4 months on Ascend. 38% of students advanced 2 or more grade levels during that same time frame. Forty-five percent of the students who were at a high risk to fail the TX high stakes test (TAKS) PASSED! more
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/01/31/texas-district-takes-math-skills-to-the-next-level/
At an Arizona high school district of 9 schools, Algebra I failure rates decreased from 40% to 17% in the first semester using a product called Ascend Math. http://www.eschoolnews.com/video/?q=CT1wecDsedB7jo3IuOr4fw%3d%3d