Principal Investigator
Philip Fisher – Stanford University
Project Description
This mixed-methods descriptive study evaluated the real-world implementation of Family Math workshops and activities across different local contexts of three stations (Alabama Public Television, Arizona PBS, and PBS SoCal). The researchers collected pre- and post-series survey data from 218 parents/caregivers and educators/providers of children ages two to five years old between September 2024 and January 2025. They also collected post-series data from 17 partner station education leads and workshop facilitators, as well as conducted a diary study with seven families to better understand how they engaged with Family Math at home after the workshop.
Research Questions
- How do Family Math workshops relate to parentsʼ/caregiversʼ reported math positivity, confidence, and knowledge?
Key Findings
There were statistically significant increases pre- to post-series on the three core Family Math metrics of math positivity, math confidence, and knowledge of foundational math skills. Participants also reported high levels of satisfaction with the workshops (e.g., 100 percent agreed or strongly agreed that the workshops were fun and engaging) and that they noticed improvements in some aspects of their children’s math skills.
Study Citation
Mustafa, L., Yang, F., Paterson-Marke, J., Beauchamp, K., & Fisher, P. (2025). Evaluation of the national expansion of PBS SoCalʼs family math initiative. Stanford Center on Early Childhood and PBS SoCal.
The Key Findings above were reproduced from the published report and do not necessarily reflect interpretation of Overdeck Family Foundation staff.
