Students often struggle to connect math with the real world. Word problems—a combination of words, numbers, and mathematical operations—can be a perfect vehicle to take abstract numbers off the page.

To learn math, students must build a mental toolbox of facts and procedures needed for different problems. But students who can recall these foundational facts in isolation often struggle to use them ...

This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet focused on education. The Hechinger Report is a national nonprofit newsroom that reports on one topic: education.

One of my first vivid memories of math is of timed tests. I still remember how visceral my panic felt–sweaty palms, heart pounding–as I scrambled to recall facts before the clock ran out. You might ...

Two students in Danielle Adler’s kindergarten class at Marcus Hook Elementary School in Marcus Hook, Pa., prepare for an addition problem. Credit: Holly Korbey for The Hechinger Report The Hechinger ...

January 8, 2026 - It's time for John Fensterwald's annual predictions for what's in store for education in 2026. As routines for the new school year get underway, many parents are looking forward to ...