K-8 Program Enhancing Students Confidence in Mathematics

An innovative math program is shaking up traditional math teaching methods by eliminating instructions and embracing errors.

Educators praise Struggly for its transformative impact on K-8 students struggling with math, particularly due to language barriers or learning disabilities. Through game-like activities aligned with common core standards, students engage with shapes, animals, and algebraic formulas to establish foundational knowledge.

The platform’s significance cannot be overstated as educators seek solutions for the math proficiency crisis: only about one in four 8th-grade students are proficient, with figures ranging between 9-14% for Black, Native, and Latino children.

Struggly has gained popularity in approximately 340 schools across 28 states and 21 countries, serving as a supplemental learning tool for students facing challenges reintegrating socially after disruptions from the pandemic. The platform caters to diverse settings, ranging from Title I district schools to private institutions for students with special needs and juvenile detention centers.

Tasks span five grade levels and empower students to drive their learning without heavy literacy requirements, promoting math accessibility for all learners regardless of background or status, as stated by CEO Tanya LaMar.

Struggly gained recognition at SXSW EDU where it secured the Community Choice Award in the Launch Startup Competition, highlighting its role in bridging educational gaps with innovative digital approaches.

The platform’s progressive difficulty levels challenge students to think critically, promoting collaboration to debunk misconceptions about math being purely memorization. With a video game-like structure free of time constraints, students remain engaged for extended periods.

After using Struggly for a month—20 minutes thrice weekly—research from WestEd revealed that 63% exhibited improved state test scores and 68% showed increased engagement in math classes. Teachers also observed reduced math anxiety, enhanced confidence, and improved behavior among students.

Survey results indicated a positive shift in students’ attitudes toward math, fostering a growth mindset and rejecting fixed notions about math proficiency.

Conceived by Alina Schlaier, Struggly stemmed from her daughter’s aversion to math, leading to a collaboration with Stanford math expert Jo Boaler. This partnership, joined by Tanya LaMar, aimed to reshape math education by fostering a growth-oriented approach.

LaMar’s experience as an educator in Los Angeles highlighted the need for a more inclusive math education, steering away from narrow memorization-centric teaching methods.

Educators like Gregg Bonti at Mary McDowell School in Brooklyn have witnessed significant changes in student engagement and attitude towards math following the implementation of Struggly.

Bonti noted how the platform’s language-neutral tasks leveled the playing field for students with varying reading abilities, fostering a sense of inclusion and curiosity in math.

In California’s rural Semitropic school, teacher Jennifer Fields has observed similar enthusiasm among predominantly Latino, multilingual students, citing Struggly’s impact in enhancing communication and comprehension of math concepts.

The platform’s visual and auditory appeal has not only bolstered independence and focus but also facilitated individualized support for students requiring more attention, as experienced by teacher Shelly Anderson in Salt Lake City.

Students previously struggling with math concepts are now embracing challenges with a positive mindset, fostering resilience and collaborative problem-solving skills.

Struggly’s interactive design has empowered students to take ownership of their learning journey, instilling confidence and reinforcing the belief that math proficiency is attainable by all.