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Math Supports

The following information is intended to serve as a resource for parents regarding math supports in LSR7.

If I suspect my child is having math learning difficulties, what should be my next step? Who should I contact with my questions? 
As a parent, if you suspect your child exhibits characteristics of mathematical learning difficulty, you will want to contact your child’s classroom teacher. The classroom teacher can answer questions specific to your child’s daily academic performance within the general education setting. Additionally, your child’s classroom teacher has access to the building and/or district Math Specialist as a resource should you have a question better suited to be answered by a Math Specialist.

What is the name of the universal screener used by LSR7, and what does it measure? When is it given to my child? 
LSR7 administers the NWEA MAP Math Growth Assessment in Grades K-5. This is an adaptive screener that measures mathematical content knowledge and academic growth in the areas of number sense and operations, relationships and algebraic thinking, geometry and measurement, and data and statistics.

  • Kindergarten students take this screener two times per school year, during Winter and Spring testing windows. 

  • First through fifth-grade students take this screener three times per school year, during Fall, Winter, and Spring testing windows.

My child scored at the 40th percentile or below on the NWEA in Achievement. What are the next steps that my student's teacher will take?
If your child scores below the 40th percentile in math achievement, your child’s classroom teacher and/or the building Math Specialist will administer an additional screener. The additional screener is administered one-on-one with the child and helps to confirm whether the child requires MTSS support or not, as well as identifying specific skill deficits.

What is the MTSS Process? 
MTSS stands for Multi-Tiered System of Supports. It’s an educational framework designed to provide targeted interventions to students based on their individual needs. The process involves three tiers:

  • Tier 1 - Universal Support: This level includes strategies and interventions that are provided to all students within the general education classroom. It focuses on implementing evidence-based practices to support the individual needs of all students.

  • Tier 2 - Targeted/Additional Support: Students who require additional support beyond the universal level receive more targeted interventions. These interventions are typically delivered in small groups and may include additional instruction, practice, and/or support services to help students succeed.

  • Tier 3 - Intensive Support: At this level, students receive highly individualized and intensive interventions tailored to their specific needs. These interventions are often delivered in a small group or one-on-one setting and may involve specialized instruction and/or other support services.

The MTSS process involves ongoing assessment, data collection, and collaboration among educators, administrators, and support staff to ensure that all students receive the support they need to be successful.

What is the name of the intervention(s) that LSR7 uses for math interventions?
Classroom teachers and Math Specialists use evidence and research-based strategies and activities from Numeracy Consultants. Math Specialists have also been trained on research-based strategies for struggling learners that connect to brain-research.

What is the name of the curriculum used in LSR7 to teach our students mathematics?
The LSR7 curriculum consists of Essential Standards and Learning Targets that articulate what students should know and be able to do in each grade level. The curriculum is aligned with Missouri Learning Standards. The district provides curricular materials to teachers to support the delivery of instruction. The district-provided math resource is Eureka Math.

Eureka Math is a math program designed to advance equity in the math classroom by helping students build enduring math knowledge. Numbers should add up to more than the right answer. They should inspire aha moments and joyful connections. Eureka Math® has set a new standard for rigor, coherence, and focus in the classroom so students gain a deeper understanding of the why behind the numbers, making math more enjoyable to learn and teach.

What resources/services are available for secondary students (grades 6-12) who struggle with math?
The secondary schools work with struggling learners through research-based math strategies and Math Lab courses.

What is an RTI group, and what will my child learn in an RTI group?
RTI specifically addresses academic interventions within the broader MTSS framework. RTI stands for Response to Intervention. An RTI group is a small group of students who receive targeted interventions and support within the Response to Intervention framework. These groups are typically formed to provide additional academic support to students struggling in specific areas, such as reading and math. What your child learns in an RTI group will depend on their individual needs and the focus of the intervention.

How is special education different from MTSS? How do the school and parents know which is best for my child?
Special education and MTSS both aim to support student learning and success, but they each serve different purposes and populations.  All students can receive interventions through MTSS while students must be eligible and identified as having a qualifying disability in order to receive special education. MTSS is a comprehensive framework for supporting the needs of all students.

  • MTSS provides a tiered system of support that offers increasingly intensive interventions based on student needs, with the goal of preventing academic difficulties and promoting success for all students.
  • Special education focuses on providing individualized support to students with educational disabilities. Students must meet state eligibility criteria to qualify for special education services. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed for eligible students to provide specially designed instruction and any other necessary services to make progress.

What is the difference between a 504 plan and an IEP plan? How do I know which is best for my child?
Both 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) require an evaluation process with a multi-disciplinary team, including the parent, to meet eligibility requirements.

  • A 504 Plan is developed when a student is evaluated and determined to have a physical or mental impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities. If a student meets these criteria, then a plan may be developed to address any necessary accommodations the student may need to level the playing field.
  • An IEP is developed for students who are evaluated for and meet state eligibility criteria to qualify for special education services. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed for eligible students to provide specially designed instruction and any other necessary services to make progress.

What accommodations can my struggling math student receive through a 504 plan?
Student accommodations are designed by a 504 team, inclusive of parents/guardians, and are selected based on the individual needs of each student.

What if my child's reading ability is impacting their math learning?
All students have read-aloud and voice-to-text options available on their Chromebooks. The district has additional adaptive supports available for students based on individual student needs. If your child needs adaptive technology, please contact your child’s teacher or principal to discuss the needs of your child. Accommodations can also be made by the classroom teacher to have assignments and assessments read aloud.

What resources are available to me regarding my struggling math learner?
Depending on the math skill(s) your child is struggling with, your child’s classroom teacher is a great resource to ask. In addition to the classroom teacher, the classroom teacher can reach out to the building and/or district math specialist to request additional parent resources for your use at home.

Who can I contact with my questions regarding my struggling math learning in LSR7?
The classroom teacher can answer questions specific to your child’s daily academic performance within the general education setting. Additionally, your child’s classroom teacher has access to the building and/or district Math Specialist as a resource should you have a question better suited to be answered by a Math Specialist.