During their school years, many children may lose some of the interest in math that they had when they were younger. There are many possible reasons for this, everything from peer pressure to boring and repetitious work sheets. Many students don't see why math will make a difference in their lives. Parents can help their children understand the importance of math for the future and make sure that their children are in a math program that keeps their interest alive. Here are some signs of good math programs in or out of school that parents can look for.
Good programs build students' confidence that they can succeed in mathematics.
Teachers send the message that students can succeed. With support, encouragement, good materials, and instruction, all children can develop confidence in their own mathematical ability. All students have access to a challenging curriculum and are placed in classes with students of mixed abilities. Grouping or tracking often results in some groups of students achieving at a high level while other groups slow down, get discouraged, and drop out of math. Parents should insist their children have the same opportunity for learning mathematics as all other students.