Improving Mathematics Achievement



Improving Mathematics Achievement

What Parents and Families Can Do

Why is math important for your child?

Today’s students must master advanced skills in mathematics, science, and technology to stay on track for college and promising careers. Mathematics teaches ways of thinking that are essential to work and civic life.

College

• Students who take algebra and geometry go on to college at much higher rates than those who do not (83 percent vs. 36 percent).

• Selective four-year colleges require three to four years each of high school math and science for admission. Engineering and science degree programs look for students who take five years of math (Algebra through AP Calculus) and 3 years of science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics).

Employment

• Almost 90 percent of all new jobs require math skills beyond the high school level.

• Entry-level automobile workers must use advanced mathematics formulas to wire a car’s electrical circuits.

Civic Participation

• Strong math skills are needed for understanding graphs, charts, and opinion polls in a newspaper, for calculating house and car payments, and for choosing a long-distance telephone service.

Mastering challenging mathematics is not just a classroom skill – it’s a life skill!

What can you do to help your child be successful in math?

• Help your child develop an early appreciation for the importance and fun of math.

• Support your child’s math skills to ensure his or her success in college preparatory math classes.

o Meet with your child’s teacher.

o Visit your child’s math class.

o Review with your child his or her math homework.

o Ask your child to explain math concepts and problems to you.

o Show your child how you use math every day.

• Encourage your child to take advantage of programs such as MESA that provide your child with individualized attention, extra math help, and real-world applications of math through fun hands-on projects.

• Work with others parents to organize a family math night.

• Get involved and help with MESA hands-on projects at regular weekly meetings at your child’s school.

What should you expect from your child’s math class?

• Instruction that helps students master both basic math facts and complicated problem-solving.

• Opportunities for students to work together solving real-world problems, testing solutions and communicating ideas.

• A teacher with a strong background in mathematics who is comfortable teaching it.

• A teacher who asks questions that encourage students to explore several correct methods of solution and to develop problem-solving techniques.

What helpful resources are available?

Resources are available from your child’s math teacher, school, and USC MESA. Just ask!

On a national level, the U.S. Department of Education has launched AMERICA COUNTS to help improve mathematics teaching and learning. AMERICA COUNTS has resources available for assisting families, educators, and other community members to help boost math achievement. Some sample resources include:

Early Childhood: Where Learning Begins – Mathematics

This booklet provides sample activities that families and caregivers can do with children aged 2-5 to help them develop an early appreciation for math.

Helping Your Child Learn Math

(Also available in Spanish)

This booklet helps families reinforce elementary school children’s math skills and understanding by transforming everyday tasks, such as shopping or cooking, into enjoyable math activities.

Figure This!

This series of engaging math challenges provides parent-friendly learning activities for families to do together, using middle-school level math in everyday situations.

For copies of these and other materials, please visit the AMERICA COUNTS website at americacounts, send an e-mail to America_Counts@, or call toll-free 1-877-220-9684.

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