Balanced literacy didn’t work—will balanced math? with Ben Solomon (Ep 54)

In this episode, Anna Stokke speaks with Dr. Ben Solomon, professor and researcher at the University at Albany with expertise in math assessment and intervention. Ben returns to the podcast to discuss “balanced math” and the recently released New York math briefs, which are part of the state’s numeracy initiative, and are set to shape professional development across New York.

He explains why he and his colleagues launched a petition calling for the retraction of the briefs, pointing to omissions, misleading claims, and misuse of the term “evidence based.” They also unpack common math myths, such as the claim that timed tests cause math anxiety, and highlight the importance of explicit instruction while drawing parallels to balanced literacy and the reading wars.

This timely conversation is essential for educators, policymakers, and anyone committed to improving math education.

This episode is also available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke

Petition to Retract the New York Math Briefs: https://shorturl.at/bN7PF

Masterclass: Evidence-informed Mathematics Teaching, La Trobe University https://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/masterclass-evidence-informed-mathematics-teaching

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:23] Introduction

[00:04:22] Understanding the New York Math Briefs

[00:09:46] The science of learning and its frameworks

[00:16:18] Myth 1: Time Testing causes Math Anxiety

[00:22:00] Myth 2: Explicit Instruction is Only for Students with Disabilities

[00:27:10] What is Explicit Instruction?

[00:29:45] The Importance of Explicit Instruction

[00:34:07] Similarities between Balanced Literacy and Balanced Math

[00:38:30] The Fundamental Misunderstandings of Explicit Instruction

[00:41:51] Myth 3: Structured Practice of Math Facts and Standard Algorithms Isn’t Useful

[00:43:56] Misconceptions about Conceptual Understanding

[00:47:13] Myth 4: Discovery Learning Should be Prioritized in the Early Stages of Acquisition

[00:51:50] The New York Math Scores

[00:57:03] The Benefits of Math Fluency Programs

[00:58:52] Replacement Documents for the New York Math Briefs

[1:05:38] Final Thoughts

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

Red flags in education research with Dr. Ben Solomon https://www.annastokke.com/podcast/episode/3a372141/red-flags-in-education-research-with-ben-solomon-ep-23

How to build automaticity with math facts (Anna Stokke) https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-3ny3k-17323a9

Math fact crisis: strategies for improving numeracy with Brian Poncy https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/math-fact-crisis-strategies-for-improving-numeracy-with-brian-poncy/

Do timed tests cause math anxiety? with Robin Codding https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/ep-17-do-timed-tests-cause-math-anxiety-with-robin-codding/

Universal screening in math with Amanda VanDerHeyden https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/universal-screening-in-math-with-amanda-vanderheyden-ep-50/

From decline to top rankings: How England transformed education with Nick Gibb https://chalkandtalkpodcast.podbean.com/e/from-decline-to-top-rankings-how-england-transformed-education-with-nick-gibb-ep-49/

Teachers Talk Radio https://www.ttradio.org/

RESOURCES

Found here: https://www.annastokke.com/resources/ep-54-resources/

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Found here: https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-54-transcript/

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social