Distance Learning Professional Development for Math Difficulties in Rural Schools

National tests in mathematics achievement of K-12 students indicate a performance gap across geographic regions of the country. This gap is strongly associated with economic poverty levels among students and the communities in which they reside. Researchers have demonstrated that students in extreme rural areas receive among the least exposure to advanced mathematical understanding and have lower levels of educational aspirations and math achievement than their non-rural counterparts (Blackwell & McLaughlin, 1999; Roscigno & Crowley, 2001). A rural countys ability to provide a high quality math (and science) education has direct implications for the community's future economic prosperity. The purpose of this project is to build and field test a professional development math difficulties software program, designed specifically for rural distribution, which helps rural educators acquire the knowledge and skills to meet the diverse learning needs of K-5 students struggling with math difficulties. This program will equip general classroom teachers to make the best instructional decisions to ensure that each student will find academic success in mathematics, and social success in their rural communities. It will also address caregiver knowledge with a caregivers interface intended to reduce math phobia at home.