Designed for How ELL Students Learn Math

Ascend Math supports English learners with visual, conceptual, and algorithmic approaches to mathematics. Video-based lessons, audio support, closed captioning, and guided practice give students multiple ways to access instruction and reinforce mathematical concepts.

For students who benefit from Spanish-language support, Ascend also provides English and Spanish video lessons and directions, study guides, assessments, and review worksheets. These resources can help students engage with mathematics while continuing to develop their academic English.

Our middle school and high school are 87% Hispanic. Our LEP students went from a 53% passing rate on the TAKS to 75% passing using Ascend Math. A 22% gain.

Gil-Rey Madrid, Principal Fort Stockton High School

How Ascend Math Supports ELL Math Intervention

How Ascend Math Supports English Language Learners Math Intervention.

Ascend Math gives English learners multiple ways to access math instruction, practice skills, and build understanding at their own pace. Ascend Math follows recommendations of Universal Design for Learning in Math.

• Learn in English or Spanish: Study guides, assessments, and review worksheets are available in English and Spanish, providing additional language support for students who need it.
• Use audio and closed captioning: Audio and closed captions are available across all 700 math objectives, with captions offered in both English and Spanish.
• Learn at their own pace: Students can pause, rewind, and replay lessons as often as needed, giving them more time to process mathematical concepts and academic language.

A Consistent, Visual Learning Experience for ELL Students

Ascend Math provides a consistent learning experience that helps English learners know what to expect while giving them multiple ways to understand mathematical concepts.

• Consistent instruction and practice: Students follow the same sequence of instruction, practice, and post-assessment in each lesson. This predictable structure helps students focus on learning rather than figuring out what to do next.
• Visual and hands-on learning: Visual explanations and virtual manipulatives help students connect mathematical ideas to concrete examples and strengthen conceptual understanding.
• Learn on the devices students use: Ascend Math is web-based and works on tablets and iPads, giving students flexibility to access intervention wherever learning takes place.
• Support independent learning: The consistent workflow allows students to move through lessons, practice skills, and review concepts at their own pace.
• Click to view Student Daily Workflow

Using Ascend for ELL Intervention Now Means Improved State Test Results This Year

Case study- Closing Math Gaps—and Building Confidence—for English Learners

When one high school began using Ascend Math with its ELL Math Communication Skills class, the goal was to address foundational math gaps before students entered Algebra I.

Students used Ascend Math for 30–45 minutes as part of a blended-learning classroom. The visual instruction, video lessons, virtual manipulatives, and study guides helped students demonstrate their math understanding without language barriers getting in the way.

The results quickly became apparent. Two students who began at Ascend Math Level 3 progressed through levels every three to four weeks. Both were able to bypass Foundations of Algebra and move directly into Algebra I, where they maintained A averages and exceeded expectations on the End-of-Course assessment. They later advanced to Honors Geometry, again earning A averages and achieving Level 4: Distinguished Learner on the EOC.

EOC Results After Using Ascend Math

For the first time, none of the teacher’s ELL students scored at Level 1: Beginning Learner.

The impact extended beyond test scores. 75% of the sophomores chose to continue working in Ascend Math on their own time as they moved into Geometry because they had seen the difference it made in their math skills and confidence.

“I would highly recommend Ascend Math to any teacher, school, or district that wants to improve their students’ math score, but more importantly wants to improve their students’ math confidence.”

— ESL Math Communication Skills Teacher, Cobb County Georgia