Supporting students with math difficulties with Sarah Powell (Ep 41)

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Sarah Powell, a leading expert in teaching students with math difficulties. They discuss the shortcomings of a recent joint position statement by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) on teaching math to students with disabilities.

Sarah critiques the statement’s failure to include critical evidence-based practices, such as explicit instruction, and its reliance on vague or unsupported recommendations. She highlights research-backed strategies that can truly help students struggling with math, emphasizing the ethical responsibility of educators, policymakers, and advocates to ensure effective math instruction.  Sarah also co-authored a response to the position statement.

Note: The resource page for this episode contains a link to the NCTM/CEC position statement, Sarah’s group’s response, and other articles mentioned in the episode: annastokke.com/ep-41-resources

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction 
05:06 Understanding math disabilities
08:19 The NCTM/CEC position statement
17:06 Does growth mindset help math outcomes?
17:53 Is UDL evidence based?
21:57 Evidence-based practices for teaching math
29:07 The omission of explicit instruction
30:55 Why explicit instruction is important
35:51 The IES practice guide
38:50 Consequences of poor instruction
41:44 The Influence of NCTM and CEC
43:26 Recommendations for effective math instruction
49:43 Preventing math difficulties
56:02 Final thoughts

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

Ep 29 Math fact crisis: Strategies for improving numeracy with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-u9y84-165d773

Ep 30 Math Fluency matters with Brian Poncy
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pj6z6-166741e

Ep 25 Understanding math reform ideology with Tom Loveless
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7ih4c-15dbf9a

Ep 21 The right to learn math with Daniel Ansari
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-4nv9n-1527568

Ep 3 The Science of Math with Amanda VanDerHeyden
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bksbz-13c732d

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-41-transcript

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-41-resources

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it
Blue Dot Sessions – Thannoid, Tarte Tatin, Cornicob, Momentary Ease
Podington Bear – Proliferate

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social