The only organization dedicated solely to helping state boards advance equity and excellence in public education.


Teachers have long struggled with the tension between ensuring a rigorous education for all their students and the reality that students arrive at the start of a school year with vastly different skills and conceptual understandings. The tension can be even more acute in math, which relies heavily on students mastering foundational concepts in prior years. The last two years made matters far worse—especially for students from historically disadvantaged groups.

Given this trajectory, state policymakers, administrators, and teachers have choices to make. Should they double down on the teaching of grade-level material, as federal policies signal they ought? Or should they instead refocus  instruction and systemic incentives on meeting each student where they are?


The Urgent Need for Tailored Math Instruction





Also In this Issue

The Impact of COVID-19 on Math Achievement

By Elizabeth Peyser, Jennifer Sattem and Matt Dawson

Without urgent attention, the problem of unfinished learning will compound as students advance to later grades.





High-Dosage Tutoring

By Beth Schueler

Strong evidence points to equity and well-being benefits from well-designed programs.





Advancing Science Instruction

By Bobbi Newman

State boards can lean into efforts to boost K-12 science literacy and beef up access to high-quality, inquiry-based education.





The Urgent Need for Tailored Math Instruction

By Joel Rose and Michael Watson

States can shift away from grade-level myopia to help students catch up.






10 Lessons Learned from the Science Classroom

By Ryan Fuhrman

Experience with high-stakes accountability informs teacher's standards setting on the state board.





Mulling Changes to Math Instruction

By Jennifer Langer-Osuna and Jo Boaler

A framework proposed in California seeks to boost achievement by increasing the engagement of all students.





Achieving Equity and Excellence in Mathematics Teaching

By Yasemin Copur-Gencturk

States should revamp how teachers are equipped to deliver effective instruction.







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Engaging All Students

Authors explore the reasons why students increasingly feel uninspired and disengaged at school and outline steps state leaders can take to help schools and districts increase students’ engagement and connectedness.
Image Credit: iStock i

Beyond Testing for Lead in Drinking Water: Implications for Funding

While most states encourage or require schools to test for lead in drinking water, funding to sustain remediation lags—despite significant federal grants designed to boost those efforts.

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