Improving Early Math Instruction and Outcomes:
Information and Recommendations for California Policymakers, Education Leaders and Funders

For the Heising-Simons Foundation in 2019, Education First examined challenges and opportunities for improving early math in California and suggested steps for state and local leaders and funders could take to boost student outcomes in this early. We reviewed dozens of research papers and evaluations from the past decade, and we interviewed over 50 experts and practitioners in the field of early learning in general and early math in particular. Our research suggests strategies in five major categories can help improve early math outcomes for low‐income students and students of color.