5 strategies to boost U.S. K-12 math achievement

Key points:

The United States has hit an all-time new low on math achievement
First graders need a chance to explain their math thinking
A new approach to middle school math data boosted our state test scores
For more news on math achievement, visit eSN’s Innovative Teaching hub

A new report from the Center for American Progress details the underlying causes behind this decline and highlights promising solutions to improve math outcomes and outlines five specific policy-based strategies to boost math achievement nationwide.

Academic achievement in the United States has been in steady decline since 2013, well before the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from the most recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) global assessment saw the United States hitting an all-time new low on math achievement alongside one of the widest gender gaps, with boys outperforming girls by 24 points.

These outcomes are especially concerning given that math proficiency is strongly linked to higher future earnings and critical to many in-demand careers.

Key recommendations from the analysis include:

Strengthening accountability and aligning benchmarks across early childhood and elementary and middle schools to guarantee all students complete Algebra 1 by eighth grade.
Improving math instruction by investing in standards-aligned curricula across grades, offering instructional math coaches, and using hands-on tools and project-based learning to boost student engagement and understanding.
Enhancing teacher preparation in mathematics while addressing the teacher shortage of high-quality math teachers by expanding tuition grants, building accelerated pathways for STEM professionals, and encouraging stronger retention.
Scaling the use of universal numeracy screenings and other proven interventions such as high-dosage tutoring and extended learning time.
Funding interdisciplinary research to connect K-12 math skills with artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and tech advancements to better prepare students for an AI-driven economy.

“Recent assessments suggest a chronic, worsening math achievement gap that will require urgent action to offset,” said Weadé James, senior director for K-12 Education Policy at CAP and coauthor of the report.

“Our report offers a clear blueprint for U.S. policymakers, drawing from proven strategies that are already showing results in states like Alabama and Massachusetts.”

“While policymakers and education leaders have advanced reading instruction, improving math instruction has received less attention—despite the fact that success in math improves future economic mobility and success in the workforce,” said Paige Shoemaker DeMio, senior policy analyst for K-12 Education Policy at CAP and coauthor of the report.

“Policymakers and researchers need to give math the same attention they’ve given reading.”