Math can be a difficult subject for students to master—and for teachers to teach. Concepts build on each other, so any gaps in knowledge compound over time. Plus, the subject can be rife with fraught emotions. Students often feel like they’re not “math people” and resist tackling challenging problems. Math teachers need to find ways to build students’ confidence.
Join us to explore ways to catch students up in math with math teachers and experts. Attendees will:
- Learn about research-aligned strategies to help students become more confident and capable math learners
- Gain insights on NAEP data that show the state of math achievement in the United States
- Hear practical instructional and pedagogical tips from experienced math teachers
- Discuss the challenges and barriers to math achievement with educators and experts
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Agenda
2:00pm ET
Welcome & Introduction
We'll highlight key insights from recent Education Week reporting on mathematics education.
Madeline Will is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of school leadership and general education trends.
2:10pm ET
Interactive Session: What Are the Biggest Pain Points in Math?
This session will feature exclusive data from the EdWeek Research Center on the biggest challenges identified by math teachers. Audience members will have a chance to share their perspectives on which math skills are the most difficult to teach and for students to learn.
Madeline Will is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of school leadership and general education trends.
2:20pm ET
Industry Perspective: Why Relevance is the New Rigor
Sponsor content provided by Pathway 2 Careers
To keep students tuned in, make math meaningful. Start by answering their biggest question: “Why does this matter?” In this session, we’ll explore how career-connected learning (CCL) makes math meaningful by linking classroom concepts to real-world careers. We’ll dive into key research showing that CCL boosts motivation, deepens engagement, improves outcomes, and closes equity gaps. Join us to gain practical strategies to embed relevance into instruction and help students see learning as a path to purpose, not just a grade.
To keep students tuned in, make math meaningful. Start by answering their biggest question: “Why does this matter?” In this session, we’ll explore how career-connected learning (CCL) makes math meaningful by linking classroom concepts to real-world careers. We’ll dive into key research showing that CCL boosts motivation, deepens engagement, improves outcomes, and closes equity gaps. Join us to gain practical strategies to embed relevance into instruction and help students see learning as a path to purpose, not just a grade.
Joseph L. Goins
Founder and Chief Executive Officer,
Pathway2Careers
A former math educator and statewide curriculum developer, Dr. Joseph Goins brings over 30 years of experience in education and ed-tech to his work at Pathway2Careers, where he helps schools use data-driven strategies to connect math instruction with real-world career pathways. He has led national and international efforts to improve student outcomes through innovative curriculum design, professional development, and technology integration. Dr. Gains holds degrees in mathematics education, administration, and educational leadership from Berea College, the University of Tennessee, and Vanderbilt University.
2:30pm ET
Panel Discussion: Catching Students Up in Math
Several areas of math achievement have been on the downward slope for more than a decade, and about a quarter of 4th graders and nearly 40 percent of 8th graders cannot meet basic achievement on the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NEAP). In this session, we’ll unpack the long-term trends in NAEP data and discuss research-aligned strategies to help students catch up.
Sarah D. Sparks covers the teaching profession and pedagogy for Education Week.
Dia N. Bryant
Partner,
CM Strategy Group
Dr. Dia Bryant is a prominent figure in the field of education, dedicated to addressing social justice issues within the intersection of education practice and policy. Commencing her career nearly two decades ago as a New York City Teaching Fellow in Brooklyn, New York, she made significant contributions to the city’s education sector, serving in various roles such as a teacher, school founder, teacher trainer, and Special Assistant to the First Deputy Chancellor.
Pedro Rodriguez
Middle School Dual Language Math and Science Teacher,
Harlem, NY
Pedro Rodriguez is a Middle School Dual Language Math and Science teacher serving the neighborhood of Harlem, NY. Mr. Rodriguez also serves as a Peer Collaborative Teacher and is spearheading Yale’s RULER approach into the school community. As a Peer Collaborated Mr. Rodriguez converts his classroom into a lab classroom where his peers can observe some of his practices and provide reflecting sections. Furthermore, Mr. Rodriguez provides mentoring and coaching support for some of his colleagues. Also, he’s using Yale’s RULER approach as a systemic method to SEL development. The approach not only focuses on supporting the students SEL but also their families and the rest of the school community.
3:15pm ET
Industry Perspective: Why Visual Representations are So Important in Math Instruction
Sponsor content provided by Voyager Sopris Learning.
Discover how visual representations can improve the math performance of elementary and middle school students who are at risk for failure. During this presentation, we’ll explore the importance of various representations--from ten frames to tape diagrams—as well as systematic instruction in topics like measurement and geometry in supporting struggling students. Drawing upon the Institute of Education Sciences' recent synthesis of research, Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Interventions in the Elementary Grades (2021), Dr. John Woodward, author of TransMath, will will touch on these topics and more.
Discover how visual representations can improve the math performance of elementary and middle school students who are at risk for failure. During this presentation, we’ll explore the importance of various representations--from ten frames to tape diagrams—as well as systematic instruction in topics like measurement and geometry in supporting struggling students. Drawing upon the Institute of Education Sciences' recent synthesis of research, Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Interventions in the Elementary Grades (2021), Dr. John Woodward, author of TransMath, will will touch on these topics and more.
Dr. John Woodward
Author of TransMath
3:25pm ET
Panel Discussion: Demystifying Word Problems
Word problems can turn into cognitive puzzles, stumping many students—especially English learners, struggling readers, and students who have a disability. We'll discuss the most effective ways teachers of all grade levels can teach word problems, without resorting to tricks.
Olina Banerji is a reporter for Education Week who covers school leadership.
David Dai
Mathematics Teacher,
Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies, AL
Kevin Dykema
Middle School Grade 8 Mathematics Teacher ,
Mattawan (MI)
3:55pm ET
Interactive Session: Boosting the Confidence of Students with Math Anxiety
We will discuss key data on math anxiety and best practices on helping anxious learners tackle math problems. Audience members are encouraged to share their experiences, tips, and questions about how to boost students’ confidence in math.
Sarah D. Sparks covers the teaching profession and pedagogy for Education Week.
Colleen Ganley
Professor of Developmental Psychology,
Florida State University
Dr. Colleen Ganley is a Professor of Developmental Psychology and in the Florida Center for Research in STEM at Florida State University. In her research, she examines the cognitive and affective factors related to math learning. She is particularly interested in the early development of math anxiety, interventions for reducing math anxiety, and the role of parents and teachers in children’s math anxiety and learning. She designs questionnaires, collects and analyzes longitudinal data, and uses advanced statistical techniques to answer questions about these research ideas. She also teaches research methods and statistics courses to undergraduate and graduate students.
4:05pm ET
Closing Thoughts
Hear the big takeaways from the forum.
Madeline Will is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of school leadership and general education trends.
