In many cases, statistics and research support that proficiency in mathematics decreases as adolescents enter into the 5-8 grade levels. Why does this happen? Why does that trend exist? How can we change and sustain the trend of deficiency on a national level? As a previous mathematics educator within these grade levels, this challenge is near and dear to Project Team leader Daisy Sharrock’s heart, who has an immense desire to make big changes in mathematics education.

This team created a toolkit for fostering discussion in the middle school math classroom. The audience for the end product of this work would be geared toward administrators and mathematics educators, grade 5-8, and would support monumental shifts that are necessary to move the needle of mathematics achievement in the United States.