California Evidence-Based Math Instruction Training
California faces a significant mathematics achievement challenge. On the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 31% of California fourth-graders and 27% of eighth-graders were proficient in mathematics.
As California educators seek to close achievement gaps and build strong mathematical foundations for all students, evidence-based math instruction has become more critical than ever.
Every DataWORKS Lesson Builds Mathematical Thinking
It’s not just teaching math concepts, it’s building mathematical reasoning through every lesson, all day, for the entire year. DataWORKS uses concept-based instruction where students develop genuine mathematical thinking that transfers to any problem. Students engage with mathematical discourse, explain their reasoning, and build confidence through systematic problem-solving in every lesson.
Building Mathematical Thinking for Every Student
Differentiated Support
Real-Time Coaching
Student Engagement
DataWORKS’ Alignment with California’s Mathematical Vision
Our Top Three Mathematical Coaching Practices
Problem Solving
Teachers learn how to help students learn to solve problems by showing their students ways to analyze given information, develop solution strategies, and monitor their reasoning throughout the problem-solving process.
Problem Modeling
Instead of writing on the board and asking “how did I solve this?” Teachers will learn how to model their thinking so students can solve problems. Teachers critique how to solve the problem while modeling each step to make connections between mathematical concepts and coming up with the correct answers.
Communication
Teachers learn how to help students develop mathematical discourse skills, how to use precise mathematical language to express their thinking, justify their reasoning, and how all students can engage during math lessons.
Addressing California’s Diverse Student Population
California’s mathematics instruction must support English learners, students with disabilities, and all diverse learners who represent the majority of the state’s student body. DataWORKS’ specialized programs address this need directly through culturally responsive and inclusive mathematics instruction.
English Learner-Specific Mathematical Challenges
English learners face the challenge of learning complex mathematical concepts while simultaneously developing academic English language skills. Traditional mathematics instruction often falls short when mathematical language and reasoning aren’t explicitly taught alongside content.
ELs need explicit instruction in mathematical vocabulary, sentence frames for mathematical discourse, and opportunities to express mathematical reasoning in multiple ways. They need to understand mathematical thinking while building the academic language for communication.
Comprehensive Mathematical ELD Solutions
Our mathematics instruction specifically addresses these gaps through systematic vocabulary development, explicit mathematical discourse instruction, and culturally responsive problem-solving contexts that connect to students’ experiences while maintaining mathematical rigor.
For English learners at all levels, our mathematical instruction includes explicit vocabulary development, sentence frames for mathematical explanation, and multiple opportunities to demonstrate mathematical understanding through visual, verbal, and written representations.
The Key to Mathematical Success
Comprehensive Professional Development Aligned with California’s Mathematical Vision
California’s mathematics framework emphasizes the critical importance of teacher preparation in evidence-based mathematical instruction. Effective mathematics teaching requires deep content knowledge, understanding of how students learn mathematics, and expertise in instructional strategies that promote mathematical thinking for all learners.
Explicit Mathematical Instruction Focus
Our professional development emphasizes the importance of structured, systematic, and explicit instruction in teaching mathematics. This includes explicit instruction in mathematical concepts, scaffolding for diverse learners, repeated practice with conceptual understanding, direct instruction of mathematical vocabulary and problem-solving strategies, and targeted instruction for both procedural fluency and conceptual understanding.
Integrated Mathematical Components
The professional development defines, explains, and demonstrates how to integrate essential mathematical components, such as problem-solving, mathematical discourse, procedural fluency, and conceptual understanding, into cohesive lessons that enhance student mathematical achievement.
Top 6 Strategies Teachers Learn From Math Coaching
Break lessons down into small chunks
To increase mathematical comprehension and allow students to master concepts systematically
Checking for understanding questions
Every 2-3 minutes to ensure all students are developing mathematical understanding
Correct errors by reteaching parts of the lesson
To make sure everyone understands the mathematical concepts before moving forward
Whiteboards so teachers can monitor all students
All students show their mathematical work and thinking simultaneously
Pair-share to consolidate student comprehension
Develop oral mathematical language and reasoning skills
Corrective feedback so everyone has the right answer
Situational intervention during mathematical problem-solving
How Do Math Teachers Get 100% Success?
Our evidence-based math coaching delivers effective instruction in every classroom that provides measurable outcomes.
Teach the whole class to 80% success, then provide individual corrective feedback to reach 100% success during the lesson.
Teachers instantly assess student understanding by asking checking for understanding questions every 2-3 minutes, using whiteboards to monitor all student work, and adjusting instruction in the moment based on student mathematical reasoning.
The Path Forward: Implementation and Support
As California continues implementing evidence-based mathematics instruction statewide, schools and districts need partners who understand both the mathematical content standards and the practical classroom implementation challenges.
Key Implementation Areas
- Mathematical Assessment: Identifying students who need additional mathematical support through diagnostic assessments
- Systematic Concept Instruction: Building foundational mathematical understanding and procedural fluency
- Professional Development: Training teachers in evidence-based mathematical teaching methods
- English Learner Mathematical Support: Specialized instruction for mathematically promising diverse populations
- Comprehensive Mathematical Progress Monitoring: Ongoing assessment of student mathematical growth
Mathematical Problem-Solving Implementation
Mathematical problem-solving involves multiple approaches to analyzing and solving math problems to develop procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and mathematical reasoning. Through systematic problem-solving instruction, students gain confidence by recognizing problem types, analyzing mathematical relationships, and developing flexible solution strategies.
The multi-stage problem-solving process includes:
- Problem Analysis: Understanding what the problem is asking and identifying relevant information
- Strategy Selection: Choosing appropriate mathematical tools and approaches
- Solution Implementation: Carrying out mathematical procedures accurately and efficiently
- Verification and Reflection: Checking answers and reflecting on mathematical reasoning
DataWORKS Support Systems
- Professional Development: Training to align mathematical teaching with California standards and framework
- Ongoing Coaching Support: Mathematical coaching and implementation guidance
- Assessment Tools: Mathematical progress monitoring and diagnostic assessments
- Multi-level Mathematical Support: From basic numeracy to advanced mathematical reasoning
Ready to Learn More About California Evidence-Based Mathematics Instruction Training?
Fill out the form and we’ll get back to you.
Resources
- https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/cf/documents/mathfwchapters.pdf
- https://caaspp-elpac.ets.org/caaspp/
- https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/caasppsspercentiles.asp
- https://www.kidsdata.org/topic/1647/mathematics-caaspp-grade/table
- https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/cf/
- https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/
- https://caaspp.edsource.org/sbac/statewide
- https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr24/yr24rel46.asp
- https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-k-12-test-scores/