More than five years after the onset of the pandemic disrupted the academic lives of the nation’s K-12 students, recovery in math is slow for many with some continuing to fall further behind. A new report by the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) gives recommendations how to remedy the issue.
“Math may be one of the most fixable problems in American education, because student math achievement is highly responsive to what happens inside schools — perhaps even more so than reading,” the report states. “The quality of instruction, the strength of the teacher workforce, and the availability of timely support significantly impact math learning.”
Feedback from students suggests that math is the subject that most often makes them feel anxious, defeated or invisible.
Overall, disparities are becoming more apparent by race and academic achievement level and, too often, teachers aren’t getting ample training and support to offer effective math instruction, the report found. Additionally, data on math performance isn’t transparent enough, meaning parents aren’t easily able to determine how their student is fairing.
“The state of the American student in 2025 is — once again — dire,” according to the report. “The data reveals trends that will have profound and lasting impacts on students’ lives and the U.S. economy for years to come.”
Even before 2020, a decline in math performance was observed, although the pandemic did exacerbate the situation.
Issues and solutions
The report details four policy trends that are contributing to worsening outcomes:
- Research-backed strategies not reaching classrooms
- Weakening standards and accountability
- Fewer qualified teachers
- Systemic rigidity, tracking and unequal opportunity hindering progress
It also offers five potential solutions:
- Implementing evidence-based instruction to meet the needs of all learners
- Setting high expectations and practicing transparent accountability
- Creating models to address the shortage of math teachers
- Encouraging systems that foster long-lasting engagement
- Having a new delivery system for instruction that has flexible pathways for students to learn and advance
“Fixing math education in the United States is a complex equation — no single solution will solve the crisis. But while it may be daunting, the math problem is also eminently solvable. It will require clear goals: There should be national and state-level campaigns and policies to ensure every student is ready for Algebra I by eighth grade,” CRPE states.
