Students’ Experiences in the Mathematics Classroom
Mathematics Listening Tour – Brief Report
In the Fall of 2023 we conducted a listening tour across the state of Florida in an effort to understand the current state of mathematics education. This brief reports on what we learned from and about students and their experiences with mathematics.
Key Finding: Students Want Collaborative, Enjoyable, and Engaging Math Classes
Read the full brief report on our key findings and their implications on students’ experiences in the mathematics classroom.
Read our Landscape Analysis on mathematics education in the State of Florida.
As students move from elementary school to secondary school, they reporting liking math less, talking about math less, and finding math less useful.
Moreover, when asked about how often they experienced classroom activities aligned with the MTRs on the survey, although half to ⅔ of elementary students reported experiencing them at least most days, by secondary grade levels, proportions dropped substantially to between 46% and 24%.
Teachers and coaches request similar professional learning opportunities that focus on a few key pedagogies.
Survey results from teachers and coaches who participated in the Lastinger Center Listening Tours report these topics as the most frequently requested:
- Deepening math content knowledge
- Monitoring student understanding
- Facilitating math discussions
- Student misconceptions
- Hands-on activities and manipulatives
- Differentiated instruction
Recommendation: Engage Students in Collaborative Learning Activities
- Include relevant hands-on activities
- Engage students in rich math discussions with their peers
- Encourage students to justify and reason
Recommendation: Engage Students in Meaningful Math Experiences
- Understanding the why of mathematics is essential for students to view it as useful and enjoyable.