Most Adults Stumped By Advanced Math Homework,
New Study Shows
(Baltimore, MD, November 5, 2009) – A new Harris Poll Quorum survey, conducted for Sylvan Learning, reveals that more than six out of 10 adults do not feel comfortable helping a teenager with "advanced math" homework. 63 percent of adults said they would not feel comfortable helping a middle or high school student with advanced math homework, including topics such as quadratic equations, manipulating algebraic equations and graphing functions. Only 12 percent of survey respondents would feel "very comfortable" helping a teenager with more complicated math homework. More than one in three respondents with children reported feeling "anxious" helping their youngsters with math – at any level. The new survey underscores how ill-equipped most adults feel to help their children with advanced mathematics topics – which are introduced in middle school. Math poses a multi-year challenge for most families, while at the same time many students need more mathematics support than ever – and at younger ages. Algebra I is typically a high school graduation requirement, and half of students now take Algebra II as well. Yet in many school systems, the freshmen failure rate for Algebra I hovers in the 20 to 30 percent range. Additionally, the recently released Nation's Report Card: Mathematics 2009 underscores the America's persistent struggle with students' mathematic achievement. The Report Card shows that little more than a third of American 4th and 8th grade students performed at the "proficient" level in mathematics for their grade levels.
"This new survey shows the need for easily accessible math resources for adults, as well as students. Clearly, many adults want to help with math homework, but when they make the time to sit down and work with a student, they do not feel comfortable with their own skill levels or have simply forgotten key math concepts that are necessary for their child's academic success," observes Judy A. Brown, Mathematics Program Manager for Sylvan Learning. "Math skills build over time. If you miss one small component, you will continue to have difficulties when that problem-solving process is involved. Understanding math is crucial to a child’s success, as mastering algebraic concepts inherently leads to success in high school mathematics and eventual success in college and a career."
Survey findings include:
- Just over one in ten (12 percent) adults would feel very comfortable helping a teenager with advanced math homework.
- Among subjects including foreign language, English, science and history, adult Americans perceive math as the most challenging subject for children today.
- Almost one in four (24 percent) adults indicate they would not feel comfortable helping a child (their child if they have a child living in the home) with their “math” (non-specific) homework.
- Just over one third (35 percent) of adults would feel anxious while helping a child (their child if they have a child living in the home) with their “math” (non-specific) homework. The survey highlights the key difference in perception that adults have when comparing basic math skills to advanced math.
The Harris Poll Quorum was conducted online in the United States in August 2009 and October 2009 among 1,009 (aged 18 and over) respondents. Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.
As a parent, if you are looking for resources to help you recall "forgotten" math concepts and for additional math resources and information concerning how you and your child can master math together, visit the "Math" area of www.SylvanLearning.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS. Families of students in grades 7-12, visit www.SylvanMathPrep.com to receive on-the-spot math guidance during homework time with more than 750 video lessons concerning pre-algebra, algebra, geometry and math test preparation for the SAT and ACT.
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