Washington Educators Work to Shrink 'Math Gap' After Pandemic

Schools adapt teaching methods and focus on rebuilding fundamental skills as math proficiency lags behind pre-COVID levels

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A blurred, impressionistic scene of a classroom, with the silhouettes of students and teachers visible through a hazy, dreamlike wash of warm, earthy colors, conveying the dedicated efforts of educators to support students in recovering from pandemic-related setbacks in math.Dedicated educators work tirelessly to help students regain lost ground in math after the pandemic disrupted learning.Everett Today

Washington state's math proficiency scores have not fully recovered from the pandemic-era drop, with the percentage of students meeting grade-level standards still below pre-COVID levels. Educators across the state are working to address this 'math gap' by adjusting teaching methods, providing targeted support for struggling students, and rebuilding fundamental skills that were lost during remote learning.

Why it matters

Math is a critical subject that builds upon itself, so falling behind can have lasting impacts on a student's academic and career prospects. With Washington's economy heavily reliant on STEM-focused industries, the state's 'math gap' raises concerns about the future workforce and the ability to maintain economic excellence in key sectors.

The details

In Everett, educators have noticed gaps in foundational math skills among 6th-12th graders, making it harder for them to apply concepts to more advanced algorithms. At the elementary level, teachers report challenges with student focus and attention spans that affect their ability to grasp basic math concepts. Districts are responding by adopting new math curricula and instructional approaches that emphasize conceptual understanding over rote memorization, as well as providing targeted small-group support for struggling students.

  • In the 2017-18 school year, 73.4% of Washington students met grade-level math standards.
  • During the pandemic in 2020-21, that percentage dropped sharply to 55.4%.
  • As of the 2024-25 school year, the percentage has increased to 63.3%, but remains below pre-pandemic levels.

The players

Emily Hynes

A high school senior who experienced a 'learning bump' in math due to the challenges of remote learning during the pandemic, but has since recovered with the help of dedicated teachers.

Kalle Spear

The director of secondary instruction for Everett Public Schools, who has observed gaps in foundational math skills among 6th-12th graders in the district.

Elizabeth Borland

An Emerson Elementary kindergarten teacher and union representative for the Snohomish Education Teacher's Association, who has noticed changes in student focus and attention spans since the pandemic.

Chris Reykdal

The Washington state Superintendent of Public Instruction, who has acknowledged that the state still has 'gaps to close' in math proficiency despite recent improvements.

Illustrative Mathematics

A K-12 curricular resource that Everett Public Schools and other districts in Washington are using to shift their math instruction towards a more conceptual, problem-based approach.

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What they’re saying

“After the pandemic, I didn't like school at all, and I grew big habits of procrastination. Being at home and online all the time, my attention span became a lot worse, and so school work became a lot harder for me.”

— Emily Hynes, High School Senior

“With our sixth through 12th graders, they lost some of those math foundational skills. If you don't understand some of these basic concepts, it's going to be really hard to apply them to algorithms.”

— Kalle Spear, Director of Secondary Instruction, Everett Public Schools

“What we are seeing is a huge change in their focus. Their ability to sit and attend to a lesson. They're very distracted.”

— Elizabeth Borland, Kindergarten Teacher, Emerson Elementary

“For Washington state to maintain our economic excellence in software, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and other sectors, we have to make significant gains in elementary and middle school math...”

— Chris Reykdal, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction

What’s next

Districts across Washington are continuing to implement new math curricula and instructional approaches, while also providing targeted support for struggling students. The state's education leaders remain focused on closing the 'math gap' and ensuring students have the foundational skills needed to succeed in STEM-focused careers.

The takeaway

Washington's 'math gap' is a complex challenge that emerged during the pandemic, but educators across the state are working tirelessly to rebuild fundamental skills, adapt teaching methods, and restore student engagement and confidence in mathematics. While progress is slow, the dedication of teachers and the resilience of students offer hope that this critical academic hurdle can be overcome.