Walk into almost any classroom in America—public, private, charter, suburban, or rural—and you’ll find at least one student quietly convinced they are “not a math person.” Sometimes that student is outspoken about it. Sometimes they hide it well. Sometimes they’re brilliant in every other subject but freeze the moment they see an equation. The truth is that this mindset is far more common than most adults realise.
For decades, math has been treated as a subject with two types of people: those who “get it” and those who don’t. But this is a myth—one that has quietly shaped student outcomes across the entire country.
The question is not whether students can succeed in math.
The question is: Why are so many struggling? What’s actually behind it?
And more importantly: How can we fix it?
This is where effective thought leadership in education matters. The challenges students face in math aren’t simply about numbers—they’re about cognition, confidence, and the environment in which learning takes place.
Let’s unpack the core reasons students struggle and the practical steps we can take to change that trajectory.
1. The Myth of the “Math Gene”
One of the most damaging beliefs in education is the idea that mathematical ability is innate. We rarely hear people say, “I’m just not a reading person,” yet students and parents alike casually declare, “I’m not a math person,” as if it were a fixed personality trait.
This belief does real harm.
When students internalize the idea that math ability is predetermined, they interpret every struggle as evidence that they lack the natural talent to succeed. A difficult geometry problem becomes confirmation of the myth. A low quiz score becomes proof.
But research tells us something very different:
Mathematical ability is developed through exposure, practice, and quality instruction—not genetics.
Neuroscientists have demonstrated that the brain grows new pathways in response to challenge. Students who practice regularly—especially through problem-solving—build those pathways faster.
The truth is simple:
Math isn’t about talent. It’s about training.
And changing this belief—among students, teachers, and parents—may be the single most powerful thing we can do to improve math performance in the United States.
2. Memorization Without Understanding
For many students, math instruction becomes an exercise in memorising steps rather than understanding concepts.
Students learn to:
- “Flip and multiply”
- “Cross-multiply”
- “Move the number to the other side”
- “Plug into the formula”
But these shortcuts, while sometimes helpful, often mask the deeper issue:
Students don’t understand why the steps work.
Memorization creates brittle knowledge.
Conceptual understanding creates durable knowledge.
When a student understands why an area formula works or why a fraction behaves the way it does, they can apply that understanding to new problems—even ones that look intimidating at first glance.
In contrast, when students rely only on memorized procedures, any variation in the problem leads to panic. It’s not that they don’t know math; it’s that they don’t know why the math works.
This is why high-quality explanations, visual models, and foundational clarity are essential. Students need tools that illuminate the logic behind mathematics, not just worksheets that ask for mechanical recall.
3. Fear, Anxiety, and the “Blank Page Moment”
Math anxiety is real—so real that psychologists have documented its presence at neurological levels. For some students, seeing a math problem triggers the same stress pathways activated during physical danger.
The result?
- Cognitive shutdown
- Avoidance behaviour
- Rushing through questions
- Freezing during tests
- Negative self-talk (“I can’t do this.” “I’m going to fail.”)
This anxiety often begins early, sometimes as early as second or third grade.
One difficult math experience can turn into a narrative that lasts a lifetime.
What students need is structured confidence-building:
- Early wins
- Step-by-step problem solving
- Visible progress
- Clear encouragement
- Exposure to problems that are challenging but achievable
Confidence in math isn’t built by making problems easier.
It’s built by giving students the tools to conquer challenge.
This is why challenge-based learning—such as well-sequenced problem sets, gradual difficulty progression, and clear scaffolding—matters profoundly.
4. Lack of Practice With Real Problem-Solving
Many students learn math through short, isolated exercises rather than real problem-solving experiences.
They’re given:
- 10 equations to simplify
- 12 problems to convert into slope-intercept form
- 20 questions on two-step equations
These drills have value—but they’re not enough.
Real problem-solving is what builds mathematical reasoning:
the ability to dissect a problem, identify its structure, and apply strategies.
Students need:
- Multi-step problems
- Real-world scenarios
- Challenges that require thinking, not memorizing
- Problems that can be solved in multiple ways
- Opportunities to explain their reasoning
This is how mathematical understanding moves from “short-term recall” to “long-term mastery.”
Many of the world’s most effective math education systems—from Singapore to Finland—incorporate rich problem-solving at the core of instruction. The U.S. is slowly shifting in that direction, but the transition is uneven.
For true improvement, students need consistent exposure to high-quality problem-solving experiences—not once a month, but daily.
5. Gaps in Foundational Knowledge
Math is cumulative.
If a student misses one foundational concept—fractions, basic algebra, number sense—it will resurface as difficulty months or years later.
For example:
- A student who struggles with fractions will struggle with algebra.
- A student who doesn’t understand negative numbers will struggle with equations.
- A student weak in geometry basics will struggle with proofs or trigonometry.
These aren’t intelligence issues.
They’re gap issues.
The U.S. education system often prioritizes pacing guides over mastery, pushing students forward even when cracks are visible in their foundational understanding.
What students need is:
- Reinforcement of core skills
- Spiral review (returning to past concepts periodically)
- Practice that builds from simple to complex
- Assessments that reveal—not hide—gaps
- Methodical explanations that rebuild weak areas
A strong foundation is what unlocks higher-level math.
6. The Disconnect Between Math and Real Life
Students often ask the famous question:
“When am I ever going to use this?”
The problem isn’t that math lacks real-world application—far from it. The problem is that it’s rarely taught in a way that shows its relevance.
Students who connect math to something they care about—sports statistics, art, building projects, finances, puzzles—are far more likely to develop long-term interest and effort.
Context matters.
Relevance fuels engagement.
Engagement fuels learning.
When math feels alive, students feel alive inside mathematics.
How We Can Fix This — A Path Forward
Improving math outcomes isn’t about buying more worksheets or overloading kids with work. It’s about shifting the way we think about math learning.
Here are the most powerful steps educators, parents, and curriculum designers can take:
1. Replace the “math gene” myth with a growth mindset
Communicate clearly that mathematical ability is learnable, and show students how their effort produces visible results.
2. Teach for understanding, not memorization
Use examples, visuals, clear explanations, and conceptual connections.
3. Build confidence through small, structured wins
Sequence problems so students experience success early and often.
4. Prioritize real problem-solving
Give students genuine challenges—not just repetitive drills.
5. Reinforce foundations continuously
Return to core concepts regularly; fill gaps instead of ignoring them.
6. Show how mathematics connects to life
Make math feel meaningful, relevant, and worth the effort.
Why This Matters for the Future
Mathematics is a gateway subject.
It shapes problem-solving, reasoning, decision-making, and confidence across all academic paths.
Students who develop strong math skills:
- Perform better in STEM
- Succeed in non-STEM fields requiring logical thinking
- Solve problems more creatively
- Gain self-confidence that carries into adulthood
And ultimately:
Math builds the cognitive muscles students need for life—not just for tests.
By rethinking how we talk about math, how we teach it, and how we support students emotionally, we can transform not only their performance but their belief in themselves.
This is the mission behind high-quality math education—and it’s the foundation of everything United Math Press stands for.