Empowering Every Learner in Alabama
Partnering with Schools and Districts throughout the State
Beth Ponsart, Territory Account Manager
Grounded in Research. Proven in Classrooms. Driven by Innovation.
Congratulations, Alabama teachers and coaches, on increased math scores, following the implementation of SB171, The Alabama Numeracy Act! Let’s continue the progress and focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions, special education resources, and comprehensive dyscalculia screening and support.
TouchMath is a supplemental, explicit, and systematic multisensory math program tailored for students who need support with foundational math and abstract concepts. From preschool through transition, TouchMath aligns with state and extended standards and is used in special education settings across the country. Whether in self-contained, resource, or inclusion classrooms, it’s effective in Tier 2 and Tier 3 support.
SB171: Understanding the Alabama Numeracy Act
The Alabama Numeracy Act (SB171) aims to boost math proficiency in students through strategic interventions. It focuses on early identification of those 1-2 grade levels behind using validated screening tools, enabling targeted support. The act promotes a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) for individualized assistance and regular progress monitoring. It aligns with Alabama Standards, prioritizes evidence-based practices, and supports data-driven decision-making. The Act also emphasizes teacher-led instruction with hands-on manipulatives, addresses learning disabilities like dyscalculia, and highlights the need for ongoing professional development for teachers to improve math instruction.
Pre- and Post-Assessments
Pre-and post-assessments are essential components of the TouchMath program. These assessments allow educators to understand students’ existing knowledge and identify areas that need improvement before beginning a new unit. The pre-assessment results guide educators in tailoring their instruction to meet specific student needs. After the completion of the unit, post-assessments are used to measure student progress and the effectiveness of the instructional strategies employed. This systematic approach ensures that any instructional gaps are addressed promptly, promoting consistent student progress.
Scaffolded Learning with Self-Fading Resources
TouchMath’s approach to scaffolded learning empowers students by providing structured support that gradually reduces as they become more proficient. This self-fading method builds student autonomy and confidence, allowing learners to transition smoothly from reliance on guidance to independent problem-solving. The resources are strategically designed to adapt to each student’s pace, ensuring foundational math concepts are thoroughly understood before new topics are introduced. This personalized learning path helps students achieve mastery at their own speed, fostering a deeper understanding and long-term retention of mathematical skills.
Aligned to Alabama State Standards
TouchMath is committed to ensuring all educational materials and resources are aligned with Alabama State Standards, providing educators and students with a cohesive and integrated learning experience. By incorporating evidence-based practices into our curriculum, we prioritize skills development that meets state educational benchmarks, ensuring students build a strong foundation in mathematics.
Robust Progress Monitoring
TouchMath provides robust progress monitoring and reporting for both print and digital solutions, enabling effective student progress tracking. Regular assessments are integral to fostering student development, helping educators collect data to better understand their students’ learning needs. This allows for timely instructional adjustments that enhance educational outcomes and support personalized learning paths.
Teacher-Led Instruction
Teacher-led instruction plays a crucial role in the TouchMath framework, serving as a foundation for student success. This instructional approach ensures that educators can guide students through complex mathematical concepts with clarity and precision. By designing lessons that are carefully planned and adaptive to the classroom’s dynamic needs, teachers can foster a more interactive and engaging learning environment. Using teacher-directed methodologies, students benefit from structured lessons where immediate feedback and personalized support can be provided, addressing any misconceptions in real time. Additionally, teacher-led instruction allows for the integration of manipulatives and visual aids, enhancing conceptual understanding and solidifying foundational skills.
Hands-On Manipulatives
TouchMath core manipulatives are designed to enhance learning through tactile engagement, aligning student activity sheets with intervention components. TouchNumerals and TouchPoints help transition students from tangible counting to understanding abstract numerical concepts. TouchNumerals use touch points for tactile counting, supporting early math skills like number recognition. As students advance, these visual tools facilitate a smooth shift to recognizing numbers symbolically, enhancing numeric fluency and confidence.
Dyscalculia Screening & Support
TouchMath has been dedicated to creating effective learning experiences for vulnerable students for nearly 50 years. Recognizing the importance of accessible screening services, we developed the fully-subsidized screener, DySc, which helps educational teams identify risk factors for dyscalculia. This initiative led to the creation of tailored instruction and the Dyscalculia Extension, enabling students to reach grade-level math proficiency. As pioneers of the TouchMath methodology, our resources for dyscalculia screening, intervention, and support are innovative and evidence-based, specifically tailored to support students with dyscalculia.
Teacher Professional Development
The Professional Development team at TouchMath is committed to the success of each partnership, recognizing that every educational community presents unique challenges and opportunities. Each professional learning plan is meticulously customized to meet the specific needs of each district and partnership, ensuring that the strategies and support provided are directly aligned with their goals.
Curriculum Deficiency or Dyscalculia?
At TouchMath we’ve been creating intentional learning experiences for our most vulnerable students across the country for almost 50 years. Seeing a need for accessible screening services we took action and created our fully-subsidized screener, DySc. This screener allows educational teams to assess for risk factors leading to a dyscalculia diagnosis. As a result, TouchMath developed tailored instruction for those diagnosed with dyscalculia, and created the Dyscalculia Extension enabling them to achieve grade-level math proficiency.
As the pioneers of the research-proven TouchMath methodology, we knew we had the expertise and backing to tackle this challenge. TouchMath’s resources around dyscalculia screening, intervention, and support are innovative, evidence-based, and specifically designed for students with dyscalculia.
Meet Your Account Manager
Add time directly on Beth’s calendar to learn more about creating transformative experiences for your students.
Beth Ponsart is a former educator with over five years of experience teaching 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students. She supports districts across Alabama in evaluating and implementing the TouchMath program. Beth enjoys collaborating closely with district leaders and teachers to ensure smooth integration of TouchMath, providing the resources needed to help students meet and exceed their math goals.
