Metacognition supports students in successfully working through struggle by equipping them with the tools to maintain an awareness of what they are doing and to change directions when needed to overcome obstacles. Thus, it is of little surprise that effective problem solvers spend a significant amount of time analyzing tasks relative to the amount…

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of collaboration between the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach and the problem-based learning (PBL) model in improving student learning outcomes at junior high school and senior high school levels. TaRL is a method that emphasizes learning tailored to students' individual ability levels, while…

The current meta-analysis quantifies the average effect of worked examples on mathematics performance from elementary grades to postsecondary settings and to assess what moderates this effect. Though thousands of worked examples studies have been conducted to date, a corresponding meta-analysis has yet to be published. Exclusionary coding was…

The National Academy of Education (NAEd) Civic Reasoning and Discourse project aims to support civic reasoning and discourse in the schools by helping teachers across disciplines to prepare youth in the United States to examine and discuss complex issues in ways that are thoughtful, developmentally appropriate, and respectful of others' opinions…

In this article, the authors focus on using board work to scaffold what they call "joint sense making," because effective mathematics instruction is, at its heart, characterized by teachers and students engaging collaboratively in making sense of mathematical ideas (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2009, 2014). This sense…

The design of the flipped classroom (FC) as a pedagogical approach is becoming increasingly prevalent in mathematics education. However, although many studies have been conducted on whether FCs are more effective in improving mathematics achievement compared to traditional lectures, the results are not consistent. To address this issue, this…

Teacher empathy has often been considered vital to successful and equitable teaching practices; however, empirical results have been inconsistent as to the effect of teacher empathy on educational outcomes. Further, researchers have questioned the effectiveness of both recent operationalization's of teacher empathy as well as its application in…

Math achievement plays a pivotal role in students' success in school and beyond. Algebra, in particular, serves as a crucial gateway: it increases the chances a student takes advanced math in high school, which has implications for their college and career prospects. In 2023 and 2024, the American Mathematics Educator Study (AMES) surveyed…

In this study, the authors highlight the differences in classroom-, teacher-, and school-level factors in 8th and 9th grade algebra experiences along socioeconomic and racial/ethnic lines using nationally representative survey data from the American Mathematics Educator Study. Several takeaways emerge from this analysis. The analysis shows that…

In this study, we highlight the differences in classroom-, teacher-, and school-level factors in 8th and 9th grade algebra experiences along socioeconomic and racial/ethnic lines using nationally representative survey data from the American Mathematics Educator Study. Several takeaways emerge from our analysis. First, we show that highest-poverty…

Motivating students in mathematics requires innovative and engaging approaches. This Spotlight explores strategies to foster a love of math and cultivate students' problem-solving abilities. From creating motivating classroom environments to connecting math to potential careers, these articles offer valuable perspectives. Discover how to build on…

The purpose of this mixed method nested case study is to: (a) provide indicators and experiences math educators have recognizing math anxiety in students; (b) identify ways in which middle and high school math educators implement creative teaching strategies to reduce math anxiety in middle and high school students; and (c) look at the veracity…

Academic scholars face a difficult challenge when attempting to grasp the intricate world of mathematics. The complexity of mathematical concepts often lies hidden beneath layers of formulas and procedures, obscuring their true essence. Traditional educational resources often fall short in conveying the profound meaning behind these concepts,…

"Catalyzing Change in Middle School Mathematics" is part of the Catalyzing Change Series, a collection of three books intended to initiate the critical conversations on policies, practices, and issues that impact mathematics education. In 2018, the first book in the series, "Catalyzing Change in High School Mathematics: Initiating…

Conventional word problems can't help students build mathematical modeling skills. on their own. But they can be leveraged! We examined how middle and high school students made sense of word problems and offer strategies to question and extend word problems to promote mathematical reasoning.