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National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance

Evidence-Based Strategies for Improving Student Literacy and Teaching Mathematics in Grades PK-9

As you begin the new school year, consider how you can use the following evidence-based practices and resources to improve literacy and mathematics instruction in your school!

Evidence-Based Strategies for Improving Student Literacy in Grades PK-9

A row of students lying on the grass reading books

Learning to read, and then reading to learn, are critical both to student success—both in and out of the classroom. 

Set our youngest learners on the path to success

Caregivers and educators can support early literacy by:

  • Intentionally planning activities to build children’s vocabulary and language;
  • Building children’s knowledge of letters and sounds; and
  • Using shared book reading to develop children’s language, knowledge of print features, and knowledge of the world.

Learn More

Learn more about these recommendations in the What Works Clearinghouse’s Preparing Young Children for School Practice Guide.

Use evidence-based literacy practices to support foundational literacy

Educators can do so by:

  • Teaching students to decode works, analyze word parts, and write and recognize words; and
  • Helping parents to become involved in their child’s literacy development, including incorporating activities into daily routines like grocery shopping or chores around the house. 

Learn More

Learn more about these recommendations in the What Works Clearinghouse’s Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten through Third Grade Practice Guide.

Also check out the Regional Educational Laboratories’ Teachers Guides to Supporting Family Involvement in Foundational Reading Skills

Provide struggling readers additional opportunities for practice

Evidence-based strategies include:

  • Offering readers the chance to make sense of challenging (“stretch”) text that will expose them to complex ideas and information; and
  • Providing purposeful fluency-building activities to help students read effortlessly, including reading with appropriate expression, pitch, tempo, and pauses (“prosody”).

Learn More

Learn more about these recommendations in the What Works Clearinghouse’s Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4-9 Practice Guide.


Evidence-Based Strategies for Teaching Mathematics in Grades PK-9

A colorful abacus meant for younger children

Evidence-based practices in teaching math can support every student in becoming more mathematically literate. In addition to promoting student achievement, proficiency in math can provide students the greatest possible opportunity for additional education and high-quality careers.

Set our youngest learners on the path to success

Caregivers and educators can support early math learning by: 

  • Providing intentional instruction to build children’s understanding of mathematical ideas and skills, and
  • Engaging children in conversations about mathematical ideas and support them in using mathematical language.

Learn More

Learn more about these recommendations in the What Works Clearinghouse’s Preparing Young Children for School Practice Guide.

Also check out the Regional Educational Laboratories’ Teaching Math to Young Children for Families and Caregivers.

Use evidence-based practice to support elementary school students who may be struggling to develop math skills

Educators can do so by:

  • Using number lines to build students’ understanding of grade-level concepts underlying mathematical operations and to prepare them for advanced math; 
  • Using well-chosen concrete and semi-concrete representations to support students’ learning of mathematical concepts and procedures; and
  • Regularly including timed activities as one way to build fluency in mathematics. 

Learn More

Learn more about these recommendations in the What Works Clearinghouse’s Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades Practice Guide.

Improve algebra knowledge in middle school and high school through evidence-based teaching strategies

Evidence-based strategies include:

  • Teaching students to intentionally choose from alternative algebraic strategies when solving problems; 
  • Teaching the students to use the structure of algebraic representations; and
  • Using solved problems to engage students in analyzing algebraic reasoning and strategies.

Learn More

Learn more about these recommendations in the Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students Practice Guide.


General Strategies to Improve Student Learning

A chalkboard on top of which is a crumpled ball of yellow paper and a chalk drawing, which together depict a light bulb

Whether you’re teaching literacy, math,  or another subject, remember the following tips that can support effective instruction when applied in developmentally appropriate ways:

  • Space learning over time.
  • Interleave worked example solutions with problem-solving exercises.
  • Combine graphics with verbal descriptions.
  • Connect and integrate abstract and concrete representations of concepts.
  • Use quizzes to re-expose students to key content and promote learning.
  • Ask deep explanatory questions.

Learn More

Learn more about these recommendations in the What Works Clearinghouse’s Organizing Instruction and Study to Improve Student Learning Practice Guide.

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