Did you walk away from your child’s parent-teacher conference for math, wondering what you should do next? You aren’t alone. Many parents don’t understand all the information, and they aren’t sure what to do next to best help their child.

Understand the Lingo

Your child’s teacher probably talked about your child’s math achievement level using the phrase, “approaching expectations,” “meeting expectations,” or “exceeding expectations.” Meeting expectations means your child has mastered the grade level content and skills from the Minnesota Academic Standards for math. Approaching expectations means they are progressing and learning the skill, but haven’t yet mastered it.  Exceeding expectations means your child has progressed beyond the content and skills required for that grade.

How Math Teachers Determine your Child’s Level

Teachers use various tools to decide how to rate your child’s achievement level. Teachers refer to these tools as a “body of evidence.” In South Washington County School District, the tools often include results from tests The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP).

The math teacher also uses less formal assessments to determine your child’s achievement, such as class participation, tests and quizzes, and math assignments. They compare your child’s performance from the body of evidence to the standards, or expectations, for that grade level.

Typically, a child’s performance is consistent, so a child who does well on tests also gets good grades. Occasionally, a child does well in math class, but struggles on a standardized test, or the other way around. This sometimes happens with children who have strengths in one area, and weaknesses in another. For example, a child with strong study skills, but weak math skills, work to get good grades, and yet not do well on the MCA.

Next Steps for Achievement Levels

Your next step will depend on your child’s current level of achievement. If your child is approaching expectations, you will want intervene to help your child succeed and reach grade level. Here is a list of possible interventions you to consider.

1. Make sure your child is not missing a foundational skill that is causing problems in their current studies. Children who have gaps in their arithmetic skills often struggle in algebra. Our free comprehensive assessment is a great tool to root out any math gaps.
2. Do fun math activities, like cooking and playing games, with your child to help build their motivation and ability to apply math. Do this along with other interventions, so they still build the exact skills they need.
3. Help your child build strong study habits such as, doing homework consistently in a quiet place and studying for tests.
4. Make sure your child is in the right math class. Feeling as if you are falling further and further behind creates a lot of stress. Many schools have extra math classes to help struggling students.
5. Enroll in our Mathnasium center for support with homework and getting help on any missing skills.

If your child is meeting expectations, you have the luxury of not having to do anything different. However, if you want your child to excel in math, you may choose to add a little extra math to their day. Any of the suggestions from above, or below, may give your child the boost they need to go from meeting expectations to exceeding expectations.

If your child is exceeding expectations, you will want continue to challenge your child to stay interested in math. You don’t want your child to get bored and start disliking math. Here is a list of possible ways to keep your child interested in math.

1. Try some fun math puzzles. There are a ton of books with math puzzles for a variety of ages and levels.
2. Encourage your child to join a math club. Being in a community of kids interested in math will build their confidence and enjoyment.
3. Make sure your child is in the right math class. Sometimes the best thing for a child’s math grade is actually to go to a harder class. The extra challenge may motivate your child to work harder.
4. Enroll in our Mathnasium center for enrichment. We have enrichment curriculumn to help your child to prepare for the admission test into the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP, pronounced "um-tee-ump")

We hope you feel good about proactively helping your child succeed. By going to conferences, staying informed, and asking the right questions, you are giving your child the tools they need for a bright future. Mathnasium of Cottage Grove wants to help you on this parenting journey. If you are interested in getting a math program tailored to your child’s strengths and weaknesses, give us a call.

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