This blog draws from insights shared by our guest contributors from Next Gen Math during our 2/12 webinar, highlighting key strategies for improving math achievement. Their expertise provided the foundation for this information you are about to read while we also weaved in a few data-driven approaches that support student success. We appreciate their valuable contributions and hope this summary serves as a useful resource for those who may have missed the live session.
As K-12 schools continue to navigate the challenges of improving math achievement, leveraging real-time data and structured frameworks has become essential for fostering student success. This webinar explored strategies for addressing common obstacles in math instruction and highlighted key takeaways for educators looking to enhance learning outcomes.
Understanding the Landscape of Math Achievement
Math achievement has remained a persistent challenge nationwide. Despite ongoing efforts, state-level growth in math proficiency has been minimal, with only a 0.9% increase from the 2022-2023 to the 2023-2024 school years. This growth rate remains below pre-pandemic levels, which averaged around 1.1% to 1.3% annually. To move the needle, districts must adopt targeted instructional practices and utilize actionable data to inform decision-making.
Key Challenges in Math Instruction
Educators face several barriers in improving student math proficiency, including:
- Student disengagement and lack of effort: Many students struggle with motivation, often expressing defeatist attitudes toward math.
- Teaching to high standards: Ensuring that students meet rigorous expectations while keeping them engaged can be difficult.
- Resistance to modern instructional methods: Parents and families sometimes prefer traditional math instruction over contemporary approaches aligned with Common Core standards.
- Lack of participation: Encouraging active involvement in learning remains a hurdle for educators.
Addressing these challenges requires a combination of research-backed strategies, collaborative instructional practices, and a clear understanding of assessment frameworks.
Strategies for Improving Math Achievement
Successful districts have demonstrated that focused, data-driven instructional methods can lead to measurable improvements in math proficiency. Some key practices include:
1. Aligning Instruction with Assessment Expectations
A strong understanding of assessment frameworks can help educators design instruction that mirrors the demands of standardized tests. The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) allocates only 52% of its test items to Common Core State Standards, with the remaining 48% derived from mathematical practice standards. This breakdown highlights the importance of teaching both basic math skills and problem-solving ability.
2. Targeting High-Impact Standards
By prioritizing the most heavily weighted standards within state assessments, schools can focus their instructional efforts on areas that yield the greatest impact. Districts that have seen significant growth, such as Compton Unified, have centered their teaching on key standards, using targeted assessments and frequent data analysis to guide instruction.
To identify standards to target, see Next Gen Math’s graphic below.
3. Implementing Real-Time Data Protocols
Rather than relying solely on summative assessment data, successful districts use real-time, formative data to guide instruction. Lead data—collected from daily student interactions and assessments—provides immediate insight into student understanding and informs timely interventions. Parsec’s Real tool enables schools to capture qualitative feedback and student insights in real time, ensuring that educators can respond quickly to learning gaps and instructional needs.
4. Building Collective Efficacy in Instructional Teams
Research by John Hattie has emphasized the power of collective teacher efficacy in improving student outcomes. Schools that foster collaboration among educators—through structured professional learning communities (PLCs) and shared instructional goals—create an environment where teachers can refine strategies, analyze data, and support student learning more effectively. Parsec’s Analytics platform empowers educators with dedicated data support, offering comprehensive dashboards that visualize student performance trends and help teams make informed decisions.
5. Bridging the Gap Between Curriculum and High-Stakes Assessments
Students must be exposed to the academic language, rigor, and formatting of state assessments throughout their instruction. Districts that have successfully increased math achievement ensure that classroom instruction incorporates assessment-aligned problem-solving experiences, reducing the shock factor of high-stakes testing. Parsec’s tools help bridge this gap by providing data-driven insights that align instructional strategies with assessment expectations, ensuring students are prepared for testing environments.
Case Studies: Schools Seeing Success
Several districts have successfully implemented these strategies to improve student performance:
- Compton Unified saw a 9% increase in math proficiency from 2022 to 2024 by focusing on high-impact standards and structured intervention strategies.
- Magnolia Elementary (Riverside Unified) launched a Countdown to CAASPP initiative, emphasizing major standards, data-driven instruction, and cohesive teacher collaboration, resulting in an 8% proficiency increase.
- Cold Springs Elementary, the highest-performing district in California, used targeted instructional strategies to move closer to 100% math proficiency.
- Saugus Unified overcame pandemic-related setbacks and is now achieving math growth above pre-pandemic levels.
Moving Forward: Practical Takeaways for Educators
Districts looking to improve math achievement can consider implementing the following strategies to determine their effectiveness within their school system:
- Use structured data protocols to analyze student progress and guide instruction.
- Focus on high-priority standards that have the greatest impact on state assessments.
- Foster collaboration among educators to enhance collective efficacy in instruction.
- Bridge the gap between classroom instruction and assessment expectations to ensure students are prepared for high-stakes testing.
- Utilize real-time data to drive instructional decisions, ensuring students receive immediate support when needed.
- Leverage Parsec’s Analytics and Real tools to support educators in tracking progress, capturing student voice, and making data-informed decisions that drive math achievement.
Let’s Summarize
Improving math achievement requires a strategic approach that combines real-time data analysis, focused instructional practices, and collaborative teacher support. By implementing these proven strategies and utilizing Parsec’s Analytics and Real tools, K-12 educators can create meaningful growth in student math proficiency, ensuring that students not only master core concepts but also develop the critical thinking skills needed for long-term success.
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