Smartick

Three things that seem to be contributing to poor math achievement: 1. Multiple strategies for novice learners. Recommendation: Choose an efficient strategy that generalizes easily to (e.g.) larger numbers, teach it well, give lots of practice on it. 2. Too much focus on manipulatives & pictures. Recommendation: Fluency with abstract symbols sets kids up for later success. Move quickly to the abstract - that's where the majority of practice should be. 3. Not enough practice. Recommendation: Give lots of practice and then give more. It's how we get good at math.

If students struggle with fraction arithmetic, algebra is inaccessible. If they struggle with basic number operations (including times tables), fractions are inaccessible. Math is hierarchical & gaps compound. There's no way around it. We have to get math right in primary.

MrBeast explains why the education system is completely broken “Why are students today being taught the same way their parents were? Look at how much everything else has advanced. When I was in school the teacher would just stand there, read out of a book and write on a whiteboard” "Now look at Mark Rober’s videos. You can learn complex topics in 20 minutes in a way that’s engaging, fun and you retain it. Just because our parents were taught one way doesn’t mean we need to keep teaching that same way. It makes no sense to me, I think education should be reformed dramatically” “Students spend so much time in school. If we had real courses made through videos, made learning more hands on and optimised everything with modern technology, kids could probably learn more in 5 hours than they currently do in 8 hours"

The road to hell is paved with grade inflation.