Solving for success: How to improve math instruction in Hawaii
from National Council on Teacher Quality, May, 2025
Math matters. Higher math scores for elementary-age students translate to higher earnings as adults. In fact, math scores predict future earnings better than reading scores. Early math skills are also a strong predictor of success in other subjects, like reading and science, and even predict grade retention from kindergarten through eighth grade. Math skills are in high demand in the labor market. Among the fastest growing jobs are those that require quantitative skills. Despite this evidence for how much math matters, state policy and support for strengthening math instruction severely lags nationwide.
To improve math instruction, we must bolster the capacity of teachers, especially before they enter classrooms. The solution starts with strong state policy.
2024 NAEP Hawaii Grade 4 Math Results
- 10% ADVANCED
- 32% PROFICIENT
- 35% BASIC
- 23% BELOW BASIC
The stakes for students in Hawaii
In Hawaii, 23% of 4th graders lack basic math knowledge and skills based on the most recent National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP). That percentage is even higher for some of Hawaii’s historically underserved students. This means an estimated 3,120 students in 4th grade likely cannot perform skills like adding and subtracting multidigit whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
Mathematics knowledge is highly cumulative in nature, meaning that students who struggle to learn foundational math concepts are likely to continue to struggle well into middle and high school. A student who struggles in math early on may never catch up.
Hawaii’s performance on state policies to improve math instruction
NCTQ’s State of the States: Five Policy Levers to Improve Math Instruction report provides a framework of actions state policymakers can take to ensure their teacher workforce can implement rigorous standards-aligned math instruction. States fall into one of four categories based on how extensively they have utilized five key policy levers at every stage of a teacher’s career-from preparation to the classroom. Hawaii earned a Unacceptable rating, meaning the state has little to no policies in place across the five policy levers, but there is more to do.
How is Hawaii performing on the five state policy levers?
Hawaii ranks significantly below the national average.
1 Sets specific, detailed math standards for teacher preparation programs --Unacceptable
2 Reviews teacher preparation programs to ensure they are providing strong math instruction -- Unacceptable
3 Adopts a strong elementary math licensure test -- Unacceptable
4 Requires districts to select high-quality math curricula and supports skillful implementation -- Weak
5 Provides professional learning and ongoing support for teachers to sustain effective math instruction -- Unacceptable
read … FULL REPORT
HTH: Hawaii’s math teaching deemed ‘unacceptable’ - Hawaii Tribune-Herald
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