In an effort to create a more rigorous curriculum, especially with the advent of Common Core, many elementary and middle schools have turned to accelerated math programs. Typically, these initiatives ramp up the level of math instruction above grade level to expose higher-achieving students to more advanced concepts and at a much faster pace. At the same time, other “average” math students are also being presented with advanced topics, but with this material being presented at a slower pace. Accelerated math programs have their proponents … and their critics.
Most American educators, policymakers, and parents generally agree that the state of math instruction in this country needs improvement. Accelerated math programs are seen as a means of achieving that improvement. After all, if American students are lagging behind other developed nations in math scores, wouldn’t challenging our kids to learn more at earlier grades be beneficial in closing that gap?
However, some parents in the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills School District in suburban Chicago recently complained that its accelerated math program was creating a detrimental effect on their students’ self-esteem. They, and many other parents nationwide believe that children who aren’t at the level that the curriculum calls for are being made to feel inferior to the kids who can handle advanced math.
The Future of Math Instruction?
Unfortunately for parents, there isn’t much data yet on whether accelerated math programs do lead to better test scores and increased proficiency for American students. In the meantime, the problem—at least anecdotally—with math acceleration, is that while it may engage some students to learn at an advanced rate, kids who are struggling with their current grade-level math are now being asked to master the next level. Children who hate math are at risk of hating it even more if their classes are delving into algebra while they are still trying to figure out multiplication.
The counterpoint to the self-esteem argument is that some students undeniably thrive with an accelerated math program and will have an edge when they get to high school.
