Key points:

The latest assessments have made it clear that math achievement has plummeted

A combination of home-school communication and play-based activities can help students struggling with math

See related article: We can teach math better–here’s how

As the most recent nation’s report card made painfully clear, American students are struggling in math. At the same time, administrators, teachers, and parents are finding new ways to help these students address learning loss.

During my 20+ years in K–12 education, I’ve seen technology play a growing role in making learning more accessible and effective. As schools explore edtech solutions to improve learning outcomes, I want to bring to light three evidence-based learning methods that have withstood the test of time. Regardless of the resources at their disposal, educators and families alike can benefit from these simple and effective strategies.

1. Extend learning into the home.

Research has shown that schools that developed strong, trusting relationships with families prior to the pandemic had a smoother transition back to in-person learning and suffered less learning loss. It certainly makes sense for educators to build and sustain partnerships with families, but what does that look like on a day-to-day basis?

One effective way to build the capacity of both educators and families is Dr. Karen Mapp’s Dual Capacity-Building Framework. It’s based on the “4 Cs:” Capabilities (i.e., skills & knowledge), Connections, Cognition, and Confidence.