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Math wars are hell: Can we figure out what helps students learn?
Raising math achievement is difficult when educators don't agree on what works in the classroom.

Joanne Jacobs
May 12 min read


Structured math is the new old math: Teach the basics, test mastery, move on
Low math scores have pushed New Zealand and England to adopt explicit, structured teaching "mastering the basics before you move on."

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 18, 20252 min read


Old is new in math teaching: 'You have to explicitly teach content'
Johnny can't calculate -- or order enough pizza for a group of six who each want one-third of a pie. Math proficiency, already low,...

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 20, 20232 min read


Students aren't bouncing back in math
Math skills fell during "remote education" and many students aren't bouncing back, reports an education reporting collaborative in a...

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 6, 20232 min read


No-tell teaching: Figure it out for yourself, kid
A leprechaun has two pots of gold, each with 10 coins in it, plus three extra coins. How many coins does he have in all? Some...

Joanne Jacobs
May 26, 20232 min read


Math wars: What does the 'science of math' say about what works?
Jayden can't read a simple story problem. Mia can't subtract, if she knew that she should be subtracting. Peyton could no more find a...

Joanne Jacobs
May 9, 20232 min read


Seeking the 'science of math' teaching
Basing early literacy teaching on evidence of what works -- the "science of reading" -- has taken off in the last 10 years. Teachers are...

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 27, 20232 min read
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