When students begin to see themselves as math thinkers, they engage actively, explore creatively, and feel more motivated.

Debates over how to teach math echo the conflicts over reading instruction, and some issues are similar. But unlike math, reading—in its full sense—draws on everything a person has been able to learn.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Dani Di Placido covers film, television, and internet culture. You might have seen the term “Boy Math” thrown around the internet ...