For our final poll of the school year we asked about students’ struggles with math.

Among the 260+ responses the big takeaway is that families want math instruction that is rigorous, engaging, and less digital.

Across grade levels several themes stood out:

  • Families want stronger instruction focused on both understanding concepts and fluency in basic skills.
  • Many worry that students spend too much time learning math on screens.
  • Advanced students need more challenge and acceleration.
  • Struggling students need early intervention, smaller classes, and more individualized support.
  • Teaching quality is uneven.
  • Parents need more guidance and resources to support math learning at home.

Grades K-8: What are your child’s biggest struggles with math instruction? (201 answered)

  • Reading or solving word problems topped the list, selected by 28% of families as one of their top four concerns.
  • Explaining thinking came in second, selected by 22.7%
  • Understanding math concepts was third, chosen by 20.5%.
  • Staying interested and focused in math (18.2%) and getting enough help when struggling (17.4%) round out the top five.

Math poll Q 1 results

Grades 9-12: What are your child’s biggest struggles with math instruction? (108 answered)

  • Gaps in foundational math skills (fractions, percentages, algebra basics) was chosen the most, selected by 16.7% of families as one of their top four concerns.
  • Inconsistent teaching quality was second, selected by 15.2%.
  • Difficulty solving multi-step problems and feeling confident in math tied for third, each selected by 11.4%.
  • Explaining mathematical reasoning and staying interested and focused in math tied too, each selected by 11%.

Math poll Q2 results

All families: What resources or support would most help your child improve in math? (247 answered)

  • Small group instruction was the leader by far, selected by 40% as one of the top four kinds of help needed.
  • Basic math skills instruction (28%) came in second, and more engaging, hands-on lessons was a close third (27.7%).
  • More individualized feedback was fourth, selected by 25.4%.
  • Better support for students with learning differences and more real-world applications of math tied for fifth, each selected by 25%.

Math poll Q3 results

What families are thinking

More than 140 respondents shared comments too. As this poll asks about current challenges with math instruction, nearly all comments focused on areas that need improvement, though some families offered praise for part or all aspects of their children’s math education.

Here are some of the ideas they shared:

Curriculum & instruction

  • Not enough emphasis on mastering core skills such as multiplication facts, long division, and fractions.
  • Students need both a deep conceptual understanding and the ability to solve problems accurately and efficiently, which sometimes involves drills and memorization.
  • Teachers should spend more time explaining and modeling solutions before asking students to solve problems independently or practice with a computer program.
  • Students need to build confidence as well as skills. Repeated struggles with math can undermine students' self-esteem and motivation.
  • Concerns about the curriculum, Illustrative Mathematics. Some say it’s confusing, overly complicated, and difficult for both students and parents to follow.
  • More real-world and project-based learning to engage students and help them understand how math applies outside the classroom.
  • One pace doesn't fit all; differentiated instruction is key. For some students, lessons move too quickly and are confusing; for others instruction is too slow and repetitive.
  • Give strong math students advanced opportunities earlier than high school.

Support for struggling students & students with disabilities

  • Early intervention is needed so students don’t fall behind. Gaps in math skills can quickly compound and become much harder to address later.
  • Personalized instruction in small settings helps struggling learners (and all students).
  • A wider range of teaching approaches is needed to serve students with dyscalculia, ADHD, autism, and other learning differences.

Technology & digital learning

  • Too much screen-based work and not enough direct instruction, peer interaction, and hands-on learning.
  • Families want more paper-and-pencil math, with students solving problems by hand, showing their work, and building number sense.
  • Some families raised concerns about programs such as Delta Math and i-Ready, describing them as frustrating or poorly matched to students’ needs.
  • Online homework can be excessive, adding hours of computer-based practice on top of other coursework.

Homework, family support & communication

  • More tutoring, homework help, office hours, and after-school support.
  • Parents want to help but some struggle to follow the math methods their children are learning. They’re asking for study guides, practice materials, videos, and other tools to support learning at home.
  • There's a need for clearer, more consistent communication about what students are learning, where they are struggling, and how families can help.
  • Homework should reinforce what is taught in class. Some respondents said assignments are confusing, disconnected from the day’s lesson, and frustrating for both students and parents.

What do you think is needed to improve math instruction in NYC Public Schools?

Share your thoughts in the comments.