Students Experiencing Severe Difficulty in Learning Maths: What Resources are Available to Help these Students?

Abstract

A crunch point in the maths development of some children is Year 4. At this point it becomes obvious they are not only well-below national standards, but they are experiencing such a degree of difficulty in learning maths that they are still working at a Year 1 level or below. This is exemplified by a case study of a student referred to the Resource Teacher Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) service because of severe difficulties with maths learning. This paper discusses the challenge these children pose for their teachers and for the RTLB who support them. It raises the issue of whether some of these students may indeed have dyscalculia. The paper also highlights some appropriate assessment tools and discusses the particular needs of students who have dyscalculic tendencies that manifest at the Year 4/5 class level. A range of readily available resources are discussed including information on how to access them.