Help for Declining Math Scores

​A recent article in the New York Times says that US test scores are in a “generation-long decline.” This is not just a loss from the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020, as was previously assumed, but a decline that began five years earlier. New research from the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford shows that across the US, 70% of school districts show math scores down over the past 10 years.
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A report from the Education Scorecard describes this finding as a “learning recession.” It points to several factors that occurred around the same time, which they think contribute to the drop-off in math skills: the end of No Child Left Behind policies; the increase in smartphones, social media, and school laptops; and student absenteeism.
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​They also examined districts who have performed well to determine what works to help students improve their math success. Most of those districts include:
- strengthening of core math concepts
- tutoring students as soon as deficits are seen
- less reliance on screen-based instruction
- high expectations for students
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Brick Math can be part of your school’s program to bring test scores up. Here’s how:

• The program is divided into 13 math core content areas in grades K -8: Counting and Cardinality through Pre-Algebra. The focus in each area is to build student’s understanding of the WHY behind the math.
• Brick Math is the perfect tool for working with students on a one-on-one or small-group basis. Many schools have found that Brick Math helps students understand math when more traditional math instruction methods have failed.
• Brick Math is completely screen free. The visual and tactile nature of modeling with bricks creates strong engagement with the math. Students love learning with Brick Math!
• Each subject in Brick Math includes a Student Assessment Chart to keep track of each student’s progress as they develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

​​Try Brick Math today with your students. Sign up for the free Brick Math Lesson of the Month to receive a new lesson, and check the Brick Math website for instructional videos, more sample lessons, and much more.

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