Maria is a seventh-grade student with a SLD in math and has failed 3 tests in a row in her general education math class. Which strategy would be least likely to help Maria improve her test scores in the future?

• A. Discuss study habits she may have
• B. Updating the accommodations in her IEP
• C. Asking counselors about changing classes
• D. Asking her questions about the content

Answer: (D)

When supporting a student with an SLD in math, the most effective moves are those that reduce barriers and provide structured practice and supports. Discussing study habits helps identify and strengthen routines like planning, note-taking, and time management, which directly influence how well material is learned and retained for tests. Updating accommodations in the IEP is important because it ensures the testing environment and supports (like extended time, simplified instructions, or use of appropriate tools) align with the student’s needs, allowing their knowledge to be demonstrated rather than blocked by processing or anxiety issues. Exploring a change of classes with counselors can connect the student with a setting that offers more targeted instruction, pacing, or access to resources that better fit their learning profile.

Asking questions about the content, while potentially helpful for understanding, is less likely to raise test performance on its own. Without structured instruction, guided practice, and explicit strategies tailored to math, simply asking questions may not translate into the repeated retrieval and skill-building that tests require. So, in isolation, that approach is the least likely to produce durable improvements in score.