The Palmetto Education Summit 2026

Independent research, including a large-scale randomized control trial, shows Zearn Math has a statistically significant impact on student math achievement — earning the program the highest rating from Evidence for ESSA. Across this evidence base one takeaway is consistent: results are strongest when students complete 3+ grade-level lessons each week. In this panel session, South Carolina district and school leaders will reflect on their first year implementing Zearn Math to support grade-level learning. Participants will come away with actionable strategies to promote consistent usage and drive impact, including: Dedicating consistent time in the schedule each week for students to use ZearnSupporting teachers and leaders with dedicated training Developing routines for reviewing data in order to support student progress and engagement By the end of the session, participants will leave with concrete implementation strategies they can apply to strengthen math instruction and support student success.

Every student falls behind in math at some point. But with the right support, all kids can catch up and succeed in grade-level math learning. This session will explore how real-world context and visual representations help students make connections to the big math ideas that structure math learning, allowing them to build deep understanding of prior concepts while learning new content.  Participants will: Examine two math problems that use students’ prior mathematical knowledge and real-world contexts to create on-ramps to new concepts Explore how solving with visual representations, such as hands-on and digital manipulatives, activates and teaches foundational concepts while building a deep mathematical understanding of new content Uncover new strategies to help students build confidence and succeed in grade-level instruction By the end of the session, participants will be motivated to approach math learning as the evolution of a few big ideas—helping students build connections across concepts and grades and giving them a way into new learning.

As schools plan for the upcoming school year, Zearn supports educators in using the platform alongside high-quality math curriculum to help every student access grade-level math learning. Join Zearn Academic Director Kyle Fatling to explore how Zearn strengthens instructional coherence across core instruction and intervention through a Concrete–Representational–Abstract (CRA) approach. Participants will explore: Using Zearn as a coherent companion to high-quality curriculum, reinforcing the same big math ideas, representations, and models students encounter in core instruction Pacing guidance that fits a classroom or school while maintaining alignment to grade-level learning goals Practical tools educators can use immediately in planning and coaching to ensure consistent, rigorous, and connected math experiences for all students.