MathScore is Research-Based MathScore.com® applies mastery-based learning principles to enable students to learn math efficiently. Our approach is often referred to as "scaffolding". Our system is structured so that it develops competency one topic at a time, and builds upon that competency in more difficult topics by assuming that the student has learned all prerequisite skills. For example, our Fraction Simplification topic focuses on how to simplify a variety of fractions, including mixed fractions and improper fractions. When a student makes a mistake, we display a nice step-by-step explanation for how to properly simplify that fraction. However, when the student works on our Fraction Addition topic and makes a mistake, our solution explanation assumes that the student knows how to simplify fractions. Therefore, in the solution explanation, we don't show the steps for how to simplify a fraction; we simply focus on the steps for adding fractions and we display fraction simplification as one step without showing the details. That's the essence of scaffolding - we remove the support steps for fraction simplification because we assume that the student is now self-reliant in that skill. Benjamin Bloom pioneered this approach with his Learning for Mastery model, with refinements made by Block. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastery_learning for more information. It is also noteworthy that MathScore's approach greatly aligns with the NCTM's Curriculum Focal Points. Back to the MathScore homepage