Closing Math Achievement Gaps: How Focused, Targeted Practice Cuts Learning Gaps by 50%

Teams MPWY
Oct 21
3 min read

Imagine your child mastering a tricky math skill—fractions, for example—after just a week of focused practice. That’s the power of targeted math teaching, and according to a McGraw-Hill Education study, it can cut learning gaps by up to 50%.

For homeschool families, this approach offers both hope and strategy. You don’t need to overhaul your entire curriculum to see results—just focus on the right skills at the right time.

Why Achievement Gaps Form (and How to Close Them)

Math gaps rarely appear overnight. They usually build slowly—one confusing lesson, one missed connection, one skipped review—until confidence starts to fade.

The good news? These gaps are completely reversible with structured, consistent focus.

Here’s why:

Math builds sequentially. Missing one foundational concept (like regrouping or fractions) makes future topics harder.
Confidence impacts progress. When a child struggles with math, they often avoid it, creating an even wider gap.
Focused attention works. Research shows that short, daily review of one concept at a time yields faster results than general practice across many topics.

That’s why at MathPathways, our philosophy in tutoring mathematics is simple: one skill, one focus, one success at a time.

Imagine This: Real Growth in Just 10 Minutes a Day

Picture this: your child spends just 10 minutes a day focusing on one targeted skill. Within a week, they’ve gone from frustration to fluency.

They start recognizing patterns faster, approaching word problems with confidence, and—most importantly—begin to enjoy math again.

Small steps add up to big breakthroughs.

DIY Tip for Parents: The “One Skill per Month” Strategy

Here’s how you can apply a focused, data-driven approach at home—the same structure used in top online math tutoring for kids programs:

Step 1: Identify One Skill Gap

Look back at your child’s recent work. What’s their most common struggle? (Example: adding fractions, word problems, long division.)

Step 2: Dedicate 10 Minutes a Day

Set a short, consistent block—right after breakfast, during independent study, or before playtime—for focused review. Use just one concept for 5 consecutive days.

Step 3: Apply Real-Life Connections

Tie the concept to something meaningful:

Fractions while cooking.
Measurement in a building project.
Budgeting during a shopping trip.

Step 4: Celebrate Small Wins

When your child gets a problem right, cheer it like a goal. Confidence fuels motivation—and motivation fuels mastery.

👉 Pro tip: If you homeschool multiple kids, make “Math Mondays” a family activity where everyone reviews one skill.

How MathPathways Closes Gaps Faster

At MathPathways, our online math tutoring for elementary students and middle school math tutoring online programs are designed specifically to close learning gaps through focused, individualized instruction.

Here’s our proven formula:

Diagnostic Start: Every student begins with a personalized Success Session to pinpoint exact skill gaps.
Targeted Instruction: Tutors build customized lessons that zero in on one area at a time.
Reinforcement & Mastery: We use guided practice, feedback, and short daily drills to cement understanding.
Confidence Restoration: Our calm, positive sessions help kids replace “I can’t” with “I can.”

The result? Students who once felt behind start catching up fast—and often surpass grade-level expectations within a few months.

Learning gaps can feel discouraging, but they don’t have to be permanent. With targeted focus and consistent effort, every child can recover lost ground and thrive in math again.

Start small. Stay consistent. Celebrate every win.

Download our Free Grade-Level Success Guide to see which foundational skills to focus on first—and how MathPathways can help your child close math gaps fast.