This Education Week Spotlight on Creating a Positive Math Culture is a collection of articles hand-picked by our editors.
Math is a challenging subject for both students and teachers. Because concepts build on one another, small gaps in understanding can quickly grow into major obstacles. Many students also struggle to see how math connects to the real world, and negative experiences can lead them to believe they are simply “not math people.” Together, these academic and emotional barriers help explain why achievement remains low. This Spotlight explores effective, classroom-tested practices that help teachers strengthen instruction while building students’ math skills, confidence, and willingness to tackle challenging problems at all grade levels.