Innovative Approaches in Maine Schools Aim to Boost Math Scores
In the wake of the pandemic, student math scores across the United States have seen a downturn. In response, educators in Maine are implementing innovative strategies to demonstrate the practical applications of mathematics in everyday life.
Federal data highlights the ongoing decline in student math performance since the pandemic. To combat this, Maine schools have launched initiatives to reengage students with math through real-world applications. This report focuses on one such effort in a school district in Maine.
At Brewer High School, teacher Sean Donovan employs creative activities, known as “funtivities,” to teach mathematical concepts. In one engaging exercise, students used Skittles to calculate statistical measures such as mean, median, and mode of color distribution. Junior Cassie Leavitt expressed enthusiasm, saying, “These Skittles are looking mighty fine right now.”
The exercise demonstrates practical data analysis skills applicable in fields like election polling and supply chain management. Donovan emphasizes the importance of digital proficiency, requiring students to use spreadsheets for their calculations. Senior Andre Lutz appreciated this approach, noting, “That way, you actually can learn something, like different tools and items that you can use.” Lutz, who aspires to study criminal justice, related a project to real-world crime statistics.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by Maine’s education authorities to underscore math’s significance in the real world, addressing the issue of low math achievement. Beth Lambert, the chief teaching and learning officer at the Maine Department of Education, is leading the charge with a back-to-basics action plan. Lambert articulated the new educational expectations: “I don’t want to say that low test scores are the new normal ’cause that feels like we’re accepting something that I don’t think we are. But I do think there’s a new normal in education. There’s a new expectation.”
Lambert’s vision is to make math relevant to students by integrating it into their daily lives, thus fostering a genuine interest in the subject. “That’s what you’re going to see change,” Lambert stated, “is you’re going to see that shift in our classrooms where students are saying, teach me this. I want to know. Give me these skills.”
Due to Maine’s tradition of local control, each district can decide how to implement these new guidelines. Brewer High School’s district promptly adopted the initiative, addressing pandemic-related gaps in math skills. Renita Ward-Downer, responsible for the district’s curriculum and professional development, emphasized the need for change, stating, “Keep doing the same thing and expecting different results is insanity.”
Ward-Downer noted the evolving nature of student needs, stressing the importance of demonstrating math’s relevance and importance. Back in Donovan’s class, students discovered the randomness of Skittle color distribution, with Lutz humorously lamenting the lack of his favorite color: “My favorite Skittle flavor has probably got to be green. I don’t know if it actually has a flavor. I just know the color.” After completing their calculations, Lutz asked if he could eat the Skittles, to which Donovan replied affirmatively.
For NPR News, this is Madi Smith from Brewer, Maine.
