Math for wee ones.

AuthorWeyer, Matt
PositionTRENDS - Early math into prekindergarten classrooms - Brief article

While improving early literacy skills in prekindergarten through third grade students has received the lion's share of attention from the nation's policymakers, a growing effort for strengthening math skills in young learners is underway.

Researchers have pointed to the positive long-term achievement of students who demonstrate good math skills at an early age. These effects can carry over to higher academic achievement at age 15 and even correlate with higher socioeconomic status (a combination of occupation, housing and income) at age 42.

With this kind of potential, developing mathematical skills in our youngest learners is being touted as one possible solution to the growing achievement gap between students who live in poverty and those who don't.

In additionally, regardless of family income, average American math scores on standardized tests decline as students progress from elementary to middle schools. In the most recent "Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study" (TIMSS, 2011), U.S. fourth graders ranked 15th internationally, while eighth...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT