Math can be daunting, and many students struggle to grasp the foundational concepts of algebra and geometry, the entry points to higher-level math courses and technical careers.
In fact, a 2010 U.S. Department of Education study found that 80% of high school dropouts cited their struggles with Algebra I as the main reason they left school.
A new partnership between Epic Charter Schools and Millwood Public Schools aims to change that and get students back on track with math.
Through the partnership, Epic provides its highly successful Math+ curriculum and instructors to select Millwood students who need some extra help. The students have class from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday — an intensive, largely virtual block of algebra and geometry.
“This is kind of our expertise — not kind of, it is our expertise. It’s, like, what we love to do and want to do,” said Haley Bradley, a Math+ high school coordinator with Epic. “I think being able to reach students all over the state of Oklahoma is really unique to Epic.”
Millwood’s involvement, beyond assisting students who need a little extra help, is simple: Finding math teachers is tough, and Epic’s model has been shown to work. So pairing up made sense.
“The ultimate goal is just to partner up, so that way we can get our kids to graduate and become productive citizens,” said Sean Cannon, a transition specialist at Millwood who oversees the district’s end of the partnership.
“We definitely need this on board,” he said.
Many adults can identify with struggling in math. But what’s not as obvious is why so many students struggle. Math+ teachers are adamant anyone can learn math with the right instruction and support.
“Kiddos can get off track a little bit with math skills. Math is just one of those things that builds on top of each other. The skills build on top of each other. And if you miss something in between, then you start to struggle, and it just kind of compiles,” Bradley said.
Math+ algebra teacher Ericka Christner described her role in increasing students’ confidence in doing math and overcoming challenges.
“Reassuring them that it’s, that it’s still possible that the future doesn’t have to be determined by one bad year. One bad class doesn’t have to determine that they’re incapable of succeeding later in life,” she said.
Six Millwood students currently participate in the program, with plans to bring more on board as needed.
Cannon said the students’ responses have been positive. “They like the program. They like how it’s set up and running,” he said.