Small Groups, Big Gains: West Kern Schools Boost Math Success Through Targeted Instruction

A successful small-group approach to math instruction is gaining momentum across West Kern Consortium schools, with more districts adopting strategies that target student needs and accelerate growth.

This year, Elk Hills Elementary has revamped small-group math instruction using the University of Pittsburgh’s SOAR curriculum, following the lead of Lost Hills Union, which saw significant gains in math proficiency last year. Lost Hills not only improved overall achievement but also made one of its biggest reductions ever in the number of students scoring at the lowest levels.

The model uses student assessment data to place learners into focused math groups, ensuring that every child works on the skills they need most. Sessions typically last 20–30 minutes and bring together two to six students with an instructional aide or teacher. Students are not only solving problems but also writing about their reasoning, strengthening both math and communication skills.

Instructional aides play a central leadership role in this model, analyzing data, forming groups, and guiding lessons. Their work reflects best practices from the Institute of Education Science’s What Works Clearinghouse, which recommends targeted, st instruction as one of the most effective strategies for improving math outcomes.

The movement is spreading. In October, Semitropic School will begin implementing small-group math for the first time, joining Lost Hills and Elk Hills in expanding the approach. Together, the West Kern Consortium districts are learning from one another, refining practices, and building a collective effort to boost math achievement across the region.

“When our schools share what’s working, everyone benefits,” said Hilda Torres, Program Coordinator at Semitropic. “These small groups are not just raising scores, they’re giving students the confidence and tools to think like mathematicians.”