What Can States Do to Help Students Learn More Math?

Math scores have been in decline for the last decade, and a recent estimate found that boosting scores back to their 2013 levels would raise the average student’s total lifetime earnings by nearly 8%. Those declines equate to an astounding $90 trillion hit to our national GDP. 

Those are scary numbers, but they represent national totals, and they’re hiding tremendous state-level variation. The achievement declines translate to earnings losses of around 3% in places like Louisiana, Mississippi, and the District of Columbia up to 14% in states like Vermont, Delaware, and Maryland, where scores have declined the most. 

So what can state leaders do to help students learn more math? One place to start is with the Collaborative’s six key policy actions we highlighted last year. Or, ExcelinEd has its own version of a model math policy that includes: 

• Dedicated time for daily math instruction; 
• A state-approved list of high-quality instructional materials; 
• Job-embedded coaching support for teachers; 
• Assessments and screeners to identify students who need additional help; 
• Math improvement plans for any student who is behind; 
• Parental notifications of those plans, including a description in plain language of the supports their own child is going to receive; and 
• Guaranteed access to advanced math opportunities for students who demonstrate they are ready for them. 

States may be tempted to pick and choose only one or two pieces off this list, or provide money for new curricula but stop short of setting strong rules about what districts do with their money. However, any legislators considering a “lite” version of a math policy should heed the lessons from the science of reading movement. Over 40 states have adopted some form of reading legislation, but many have failed to translate into any meaningful changes at the classroom level. And lo and behold, research has found that only the most comprehensive state plans have trickled down to produce gains for students. 

In other words, states need to get serious about adopting math policies that will actually improve outcomes for kids. ExcelinEd’s new Math Matters website offers a compelling roadmap to get started.