Guest Post
Instruction Specialist at Kumon North America
The education gap is widening. National test scores from fourth and eighth graders around the U.S. show students continue to struggle in both math and reading, according to the recently released 2024 NAEP scores, also known as the Nation’s Report Card.
These declines are valid concerns for parents, but they are hardly new. The challenges brought on by disruptions in traditional schooling have left students struggling to meet grade-level expectations, leaving families searching for effective solutions that local school districts aren’t able to overcome alone.
The gaps are simply a discrepancy between what the student should have learned versus what they actually learned. Programs like Kumon’s after-school math and reading program are designed to help a child accelerate their learning.
The Kumon Method, which has been used for more than 65 years, focuses on building math and reading skills though daily practice. Through a combination of personalized instruction, self-paced learning and skill mastery, the Kumon Method is able to provide a pathway to close educational gaps and offer a path to academic recovery.
Individualized Instruction
Closing the education gap means finding out where a divergence began in the curriculum. At Kumon, that begins with an initial assessment.
The assessment plays a vital role in a student’s introduction to Kumon and also provides several benefits for students, their parents and the Instructor. The results of the assessment allow for accurate placement, the creation of an individualized learning plan and a path to set tangible goals.
This starting point ensures that each child’s learning plan is tailored to their unique needs, allowing them to progress at their own pace. Whether a student needs to revisit foundational concepts they missed or is ready to tackle more advanced enrichment material, the Kumon Method helps them build a strong academic foundation.
Self-Pacing and Repetition
Self-paced learning is a focal point of Kumon’s instructional approach. This isn’t a standard public-school classroom where teachers are mandated to follow pacing set by the state.
Kumon Instructors focus on the individual.
Students follow their learning plan and do not advance in skill level until they have mastered their current work. While this can coincide with the work they are doing in a school classroom, the work they do is based on their current level of achievement in Kumon.
Closing a child’s learning gap relies upon the consistent daily study of the skills the child has missed. Daily practice assignments, completed at home or at the Kumon Center, reinforce key skills through repetitive practice. This work can be completed on traditional worksheets or digitally through Kumon Connect.
Repetition provides students with practice to master concepts and advance to higher-level materials. The number of repetitions students need will vary according to their ability, approach to studying and attitude.
Over time, students develop a deep understanding of math and reading concepts, enabling them to approach new challenges with greater ease.
Skill Mastery
Unlike the traditional classroom, Kumon Students are guided to fully comprehend each concept before moving on to the next, ensuring that gaps in understanding do not accumulate.
For math, this means fluency in calculations and problem-solving. In reading, it translates to strong comprehension and critical thinking. And it all centers around a reinforced love for learning.
As students experience success, they gain a sense of accomplishment that motivates them. This motivation not only helps them close the education gap but also equips them with the resilience to overcome future challenges.
It also takes parent support. Parents play an essential role in their child’s journey at Kumon by reinforcing their daily practice. With Kumon’s structured approach, students develop both the academic skills and the self-learner mindset needed to thrive.
Closing the learning gap – as measured by formal assessments – takes time. The Kumon Method focuses on an active learning process that keeps students engaged and turns them into self-learners.
Amber Braverman Bio:
Amber Braverman is an experienced education professional with a background in instructional management, curriculum development and academic coaching. With more than a decade at Kumon North America, she has served as an instruction team manager, instruction specialist and area manager, leading instructor training, student development initiatives and curriculum optimization.
As a former Kumon Center Instructor, Braverman successfully improved student retention and achievement. She is passionate about fostering student success, training educators and creating dynamic learning environments.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
