Illinois Launches Comprehensive Plan to Boost Math Competence

Students in Illinois are grappling with a persistent challenge: lower math scores compared to reading and writing. In the most recent report from the Illinois State Board of Education, only 38.4% of students demonstrated proficiency in math, significantly lower than the 52.4% proficiency rate in English language arts. This trend mirrors a national pattern where, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, just 59% of eighth graders in 2024 achieved the “basic” level in math, compared to 66% in reading.

In response to these concerning statistics, Illinois officials are taking action by developing a comprehensive “numeracy plan.” This initiative aims to enhance students’ math skills across the state, addressing both classroom instruction and teacher training.

Understanding the Math Competence Gap

The ongoing struggle with math proficiency is not unique to Illinois. Data from the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study reveals that American students lag behind their peers in several industrialized countries, including Singapore, Japan, Sweden, and Australia. This disparity raises important questions about the factors contributing to the low performance in mathematics.

Latrenda Knighten, a retired math teacher and current president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, highlights a cultural aspect. Many Americans proudly identify as “not a math person,” a sentiment she believes adversely impacts students’ attitudes toward the subject. “What you say publicly has a huge impact on impressionable young minds,” Knighten explained. “We can no longer accept that it’s okay to say, ‘Oh, I’m just not good at math.’”

On the other hand, Beth MacDonald, an education professor at Illinois State University, attributes the issue largely to teaching methods. She cites the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 as a pivotal moment that shifted focus towards standardized testing, often at the expense of understanding students’ individual learning needs. “What we’ve removed now is the need to even understand where our kids are at in their own learning,” MacDonald noted.

Details of the Numeracy Plan

The Illinois State Board of Education is committed to reversing the trend of low math proficiency through its numeracy plan, which was initiated following a needs assessment conducted in April and May 2023. This assessment involved consultations with a variety of stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, and regional superintendents.

In June, the Board held a summit to analyze the feedback and began drafting the plan. An initial draft was released in October and is set for further refinement. The state plans to present a second draft to the board in February 2024, with a final version expected by June 2024.

Knighten emphasized the holistic approach being taken in the planning process. “They are looking at developing a plan and identifying what numeracy is,” she explained. The focus is not solely on improving students’ ability to memorize math facts but also on fostering a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

The document outlines that “numeracy is more than arithmetic or the memorization of procedures,” aiming for students to confidently understand and apply mathematical concepts in real-world contexts. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding funding and resources, as many school districts are underfunded and require more training for teachers.

MacDonald believes that while the plan shows promise, financial support will be crucial to its success. “I think they’re doing a great job with the numeracy plan so far, with regard to how policy can change,” she said. “But we need some money behind a lot of these initiatives.”

As Illinois takes these steps, stakeholders remain hopeful that the comprehensive numeracy plan will significantly improve math skills among students, potentially altering the narrative around math education in the state and beyond.