Blog | Accelerate Learning

How to Help Students Find Their Math Identity

ALI Staff — Thu, 14 May 2026 12:32:01 GMT

Today’s students are struggling in math.

Frustrations are building in the classroom, teachers are trying new techniques hoping they stick, and administrators are trying to explain to stakeholders why scores are dropping.

While schools can turn to any number of math improvement strategies to help boost scores, many of these techniques don’t get to the heart of what students lack: a positive math identity.

Ahead, we’ll tackle this complex and often misunderstood topic to explore how to help students build a strong math identity with practical classroom strategies that foster math confidence.

Building Confidence in Math for Teachers and Students

ALI Staff — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:59:41 GMT

Building confidence in math is an important factor in student success, but it isn’t always easy to develop or sustain, especially in today’s classrooms.

Identifying Gaps in Foundational Math Skills to Build Math Readiness

ALI Staff — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:15:00 GMT

Most students who struggle in math aren't missing years of learning.

They're missing one small skill, and that gap might block everything above it.

Building math readiness means finding that exact skill and filling it, without sending students backward through content they don't need to access at that moment.

That's a different goal than remediation, and it requires a different kind of program.

This guide breaks down how to identify those gaps the right way, what gets in the way of finding them, and how the right support can get students back to grade-level math with confidence.

How to Choose a New Math Curriculum: What Schools Should Be Asking

ALI Staff — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:32:00 GMT

Selecting a new math curriculum is one of the most consequential academic decisions a school or district can make.

Curriculum choices shape how students build mathematical understanding, how teachers deliver instruction, and how well schools prepare learners for future STEM opportunities.

Without clear priorities, even well-intentioned curriculum selections can lead to gaps in instruction, inconsistent implementation, and missed opportunities for improvement.

A thoughtful evaluation process starts by asking the right questions.

What learning gaps need to be addressed? How well does the current program support conceptual understanding and procedural fluency? Does the curriculum support diverse classrooms and align with long-term academic goals?

Schools that define their priorities are more likely to select math curriculum resources that support strong instruction, equitable learning experiences, and sustainable results.

STEM Education Resources for Teachers: 2026 Guide

ALI Staff — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 20:33:29 GMT

Schools are placing more focus on STEM than ever before. That makes a lot of sense in today's world. Students need strong skills in science, technology, engineering, and math. They also need to solve problems, think clearly, and work together.

That makes for a big responsibility for teachers.

So it's no wonder many educators are searching for STEM education resources for teachers that are engaging, standards-based, and easy to use.

But the main challenge is not finding materials. There are seemingly millions of them out there. The real problem is choosing the right materials.

This guide explains why strong STEM materials matter, what to look for, and how to choose the best STEM materials that support learning in your classroom.

Best Math Curriculum for Elementary Schools in 2026

ALI Staff — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:32:01 GMT

Choosing the best math curriculum for elementary classrooms is more complex than ever.

District leaders and instructional teams aren’t just looking for alignment to standards. They’re evaluating how well an elementary math curriculum builds deep understanding, supports diverse learners, and prepares students for long-term success in mathematics.

From digital-first platforms to print-based programs and blended models, schools have more options than they’ve ever had before. But without clear evaluation criteria, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by choice. What features matter most? Which program suits the students’ needs?

Before comparing programs, it’s important to define what quality actually looks like.

What makes one elementary math curriculum more effective than another, and how can schools determine which approach is best for student growth?

This guide looks at the characteristics of effective elementary math curricula, with practical criteria for evaluating programs in today’s classrooms.

Best Science Curriculum for 2026: What Schools & Districts Should Look For

ALI Staff — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:30:01 GMT

Are students in your science classrooms merely completing activity after activity and moving on? Or do they have a chance to ask questions, test ideas, and explain what they discover? Where engagement isn’t forced and curiosity drives the work?

STEM Education Resources Teachers Actually Need in 2026

ALI Staff — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:30:00 GMT

STEM brings together science, technology, engineering, and math in a connected way.

Best STEM Curriculum for Schools: Preschool to High School

ALI Staff — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:34:16 GMT

Access to high-level STEM learning can shape how students understand the world, solve problems, and prepare for their future.

At its best, it helps students connect classroom instruction to everyday life, even inspiring them to design solutions for real-world challenges.

Yet recent data show that math and science achievement remain below pre-pandemic levels, with many students reporting disengagement during STEM lessons.

On the educator side, teachers face challenges meeting the needs of diverse learners while balancing limited planning time and fragmented instructional materials.

The right curriculum can change that. The best STEM curriculum for schools does more than cover standards. It sparks curiosity, supports teachers, adapts to diverse learners, and creates meaningful, hands-on experiences across every grade level.

This guide explores what defines high-quality STEM instruction and highlights proven Accelerate Learning programs for preschool through high school.

5 Easy Math Engagement Strategies for the Classroom

ALI Staff — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:32:00 GMT

The news headlines are daunting. Math scores are down. School districts are scrambling to turn things around. And there’s no shortage of differing opinions on how exactly to do that.

But there’s not much debate on one thing: improving student engagement in math is a top priority.

With a seemingly unending list of things vying for today’s students’ attention, figuring out how to engage students in math is critical now more than ever.

What’s the magic formula that will help teachers improve students’ math motivation and elevate student engagement in math?

As makers of industry-leading STEM curricula, we’ve seen first-hand how inquiry-based math lessons, hands-on learning, and problem-based learning can make a real difference.

Our STEM programs are rooted in helping provide answers to those existential questions teachers so often have like “how to make math fun?”.

That’s why we can confidently say that these student engagement struggles are not insurmountable. In fact, there are real-world solutions you can implement today that will help boost student engagement in math.

Ahead, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide, full of math engagement strategies, so your team is well-equipped to invigorate your students’ curiosity and confidence and transform your math classroom.