Transition Math Project

Help for Parents

Math counts for college and careers more than ever!

Let us help you find a way to help your student "Figure It All Out!"

As parents, we are sometimes frustrated when it comes to helping our children succeed in school. There are as many ways of learning as there are students. Each student perceives things in a different way and each student should be led to understand that they may learn in a unique way from their fellow classmates…and that his/her way is NOT the wrong way.

You can help your student come to a better understanding of the way their brain works by making certain observations:

Is your child finding it difficult to recall basic math rules and formulas?
Is your child struggling with the organization of a problem and its solution?
Is your child’s language and reading weaknesses making it difficult to understand the math problem from the start?
Is your child easily distracted and does he/she struggle to remain focused?
Does the amount of information facing your child on the math page overwhelm him/her?
Does your child have trouble multi-tasking?

Observe Your Child:

Once you have a clear understanding of how your child’s brain learns, you can use that information to help your him/her utilize these distinct characteristics to his/her advantage in learning math.

This insight now becomes the foundation on which to build your child’s math success. At this point, you can begin to tackle the individual weaknesses in your child’s math education – with the individual student, as well as, the educational-system environment surrounding that student.

For a more in-depth investigation of how your child learns and of ways to identify your child’s specific math weaknesses, we direct you to the All Kinds of Minds website. It is user-friendly and full of helpful information for parents like you.

Talk to Your Child:

Parents too often make the mistake of thinking their children “tune them out”. In fact, your children still think your supportive, positive input is the most important impetus to excelling in school and life.

The Transition Math Project has developed a student and parent portal with up-to-date math planning resources, tips and tools that will help you talk to your child about the importance of math in being college- and work-ready. The TMP Math Lab will help you navigate:

The 4 Steps to Math Success.

You will find helpful hints that will assist you in:

1. Planning a successful path to make your child ready for college math;
2. Speaking with other parents and combining your resources in working with your child’s educators
3. Carrying out a workable approach to helping your child with his homework; and
4. Reaching out to inquire about just what is happening in your school’s math classrooms.

Included in this valuable information is a downloadable brochure that will make it easier to have those important conversations with your child, his teachers and counselors and your local school system.

View Our New Parent-Friendly Brochure

And Give Us Your Feedback

Our Math Lab is a dynamic tool that will be continuously updated to include the information that you and your students tell us you need. Please feel free to write us with your thoughts and ideas on how to make this tool work better for you! The TMP is dedicated to helping more students make a successful transition from high-school to college-level math courses.

More Helpful Resources:

Tips for SUCCESS in Math
Washington's Lower Columbia College crafted these seven universal tips on achieveing success in college math classes for current and future math students. These tips comprise a solid foundation for almost any math student.

Online Math Center
A FREE online resource for teachers, students, and anyone interested in mathematics. Student help sites, professional organizations, math library, references, current research in mathematics, puzzles, games, applications of math to many fields. The site was developed through a Title III grant awarded to Whatcom Community College.

Special Education
Parents looking for up-to-date resources on the challenges and the strengths of special needs children can find a helpful list of resources through this sub-section of StudyWorks! Online.

Helping Children Learn at Home
When parents encourage their children to ask questions and help children explore and discover the natural world, they are helping build an interest in math and science. Many experts say that children who have such experiences when they are very young develop an enjoyment for and a confidence in math and science that pays off as they get older. "

Getting Involved in Your Child's Education
The National Education Association says, "When parents are involved in their children's education, kids do better in school."

Helping Your Child Learn Math
All of the activities here relate math to everyday life and complement many of the math lessons that children are learning in school. These fun activities use materials that are easy to find. They can be done in the home, at the grocery store, while traveling, or just for the fun of it.

Arithmetic for Parents
"The principles of first to sixth grade arithmetic, and methods of teaching, are described in a clear and simple way. This is also a second chance for those who wish to revisit their childhood mathematics from a new, mature perspective".

Department of Education Broadcast Information Center
Education News Parents Can Use - Listen to recent broadcasts

Math and Science Matter: The World is Waiting. Will Your Child Be Ready for College and Work? - Version 1
Version 2
Both available in English and Spanish! A brochure published by the Partnership for Learning, a TMP partner.

TMP is managed by
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
PO Box 42495, Olympia, WA 98504-2495
206.870.5906

Transition Math Project