Chalk & Talk

Science of Math: The movement everyone's talking about with Sarah Powell (Ep. 65)

35 snips
Feb 20, 2026
Guest
Sarah Powell
Sarah Powell, a professor who researches math support for students with learning difficulties, joins to unpack the Science of Math movement. They define the movement, debate whether math needs the same scientific scrutiny as reading, and tackle criticisms about explicit instruction, quantitative evidence, and one-size-fits-all claims. The conversation focuses on why measuring learning and evidence-informed practice matter.
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INSIGHT

Value Of High-Quality Evidence

  • The Science of Math stresses high-quality, generalizable research over anecdotes and opinion.
  • Anna Stokke and Sarah Powell argue we must use rigorous studies to know what truly improves math learning.
ANECDOTE

How The Movement Began

  • Sarah Powell recounts starting the Science of Math conversations with researchers in special education and school psychology.
  • She explains the movement quickly expanded beyond a website into a broader, worldwide discussion among teachers and researchers.
INSIGHT

Math Struggles Are Widespread

  • Issues in math affect far more than the special education population.
  • Sarah Powell notes over 60% of fourth graders and over 70% of eighth graders fail to meet basic math proficiency, making this a general education problem.
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