State Education Department Releases New Numeracy Briefs for PreK-12 Mathematics Instruction

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) released a series of new numeracy briefs to support administrators and numeracy leaders in their teaching of PreK-12 mathematics, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced. The briefs are part of a larger numeracy initiative that will continue through the 2025-26 school year. The briefs, as well as a presentation providing an overview of the research and best practices, can be accessed on the Numeracy Initiative website. 

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, "Mathematics is a fundamental pillar of education, with the power to exponentially enhance students’ potential across all disciplines. While mathematical principles remain constant, our teaching methods must evolve to meet the needs of today’s learners. I am grateful to Dr. Ball for her collaboration in developing these briefs and encourage educators to explore these evidence-based practices to strengthen instruction and student success." 

Commissioner Rosa said, "Mathematics is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives, from measuring ingredients in the kitchen to keeping score during game night. Strong numeracy skills empower learners to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. These briefs offer science-informed guidance on numeracy instruction, providing educators at all levels with practical strategies to build lifelong mathematical confidence and competence." 

The briefs were introduced during a statewide numeracy event held on May 13 in collaboration with Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES), the Big 5 school districts, and the small city school districts. The creator of the briefs, national expert Dr. Deborah Loewenberg Ball, served as the event’s keynote speaker and provided attendees with an overview of evidence-based practices to support responsible teaching of mathematics. Dr. Loewenberg Ball is the William H. Payne Collegiate Professor at the University of Michigan and the Director of TeachingWorks. Dr. Loewenberg Ball was joined by Nicole Garcia, the Associate Director of TeachingWorks, who leads the organization’s PreK-12 work. 

NYSED is committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure students have access to a high-quality, culturally responsive education with a focus on numeracy at its core. NYS’s Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards (NGMLS), adopted in 2017 by the Board of Regents, define what students should understand and do throughout their study of mathematics. These mathematics standards are designed to support student access to the knowledge and understanding of the mathematical concepts that are necessary to function in a world dependent upon the application of mathematics. NYSED has created guidance and resources to support districts and schools as they develop and implement high-quality, culturally responsive instruction designed to help all students achieve the expectations of the NGMLS. 

In addition, through its Expanded Math Access Program (EMAP) initiative, the Department supports math fluency by providing students in grades K-8 with free access to the First in Math Program (FIM), an online resource with standards-based math games and activities. This additional practice supports students in meeting grade-level math fluency expectations.  

Each year, a Statewide Mathematics Tournament is held utilizing the FIM program. This year’s Statewide Mathematics Tournament will be held on May 31 at the NYS Museum and, for the first time, will include students in grades 6-8.