Spring is here, conversations around the new ND math legislation are in full swing, and SEEC Professional Learning & Math Specialist, Ryan Lyson, is supporting schools currently implementing SpringMath.
SpringMath is a research and evidence-based math system that helps students grow through leveraging components of explicit math instruction focused on building math fluency. SpringMath utilizes paper-and-pencil routines unlike other programs such as freckle, dreambox, blue streak, or IXL. A powerful, evidence-based decision-making process drives instruction. Teachers enter student scores into the dashboard once a week, and those data determine when the next math skill is unlocked. When the classwide median reaches 80% proficiency, the next skill automatically becomes available. The program provides a clear path for skill development and gives teachers the data they need to make confident instructional decisions.
Math is a subject that continually builds on itself; if a student doesn’t fully learn one skill, the next skill may become more difficult to understand until eventually the student cannot keep up with their grade level. Therefore, it is important that the pacing of lessons matches with skill mastery. SpringMath helps remove the guesswork.
Using this program, students watch and listen as the teacher solves a problem out loud. Then they practice that skill with paper and pencil, partner with a classmate to solve problems, and correct each other’s work. After this, students take a timed assessment to gauge their skill level. Teachers enter these daily progress-monitoring scores into SpringMath, and when the median number of students reach the mastery level, SpringMath automatically unlocks the next skill.
This school year, Lyson conducted walkthroughs at Barnes County North, Oakes, Fairmount, and North Sargent to provide feedback on the implementation of SpringMath. Across these classrooms, the most common areas for growth included refining partner talk time and strengthening classroom routines. In particular, students benefit from receiving clear prompts that emphasize the specific strategies they should be using during partner talk. Without this guidance, students often perceive the timed interaction as a race, rather than an opportunity to slow down and articulate their thinking to a peer. Finally, classrooms with the strongest transition routines within SpringMath consistently demonstrate the greatest success in skill advancement.
SpringMath also equips instructors with high-quality data to guide Tier 2 math instruction during core instructional time. As a former math teacher, Lyson recognized the value of embedding review opportunities for students, but he often lacked clarity around the specific skills students were struggling to master. SpringMath addresses this challenge by providing precise skill-level information through its individual skills progression—what Lyson refers to as the Dot Report.
In addition to school walkthroughs, Lyson is also hosting a Community of Practice (CoP) for those that use SpringMath on April 8 from 1:00-2:00PM CST. The overarching purpose is to collaborate, share insights, and strengthen SpringMath implementation to maximize student success. This work aligns with ND Senate Bill 2213 and ensures consistent, evidence-based instruction across classrooms.