HACKER Q&A
📣 dfee

On Math Proficiency for Elementary School Kids


My son's elementary school doesn't seem to focus much on math (despite being a highly rated school). I've discovered that many parents send their children to after-school math programs to get this education. That creates a system where you play the game, or fall behind (which in math, I imagine, is a gravity well).

It's hard to know what's expected at each grade level, and where diminishing returns are in terms of learning, as well.

How, then, should we evaluate extracurricular resources?

For example: after school programs (like, Russian School of Math). They're expensive, and often require an annual commitment. But is there evidence they produce "successful" outcomes (how is that even measured). Are they snake-oil? Etc.

  👤 Kon-Peki Accepted Answer ✓
They aren’t snake oil. The kids will come out the other side being good at math, but they are unlikely to enjoy math, or look back fondly on the time spent.

If you want to try something that is supposed to be more enjoyable without a time or financial commitment, check out Beast Academy. You can get the books cheaply, used, on Thrift Books or other such used book sites. The child is supposed to read a comic, by themselves if they are able, about a humorous situation in which a math skill wins the day. And then they do a small worksheet about that math skill. It’s low pressure and low anxiety inducing.