The math practice platform XtraMath is rolling out a new tool that translates daily practice data into tips for teachers. Backed by a grant from NewSchools Venture Fund, the feature, called Fluency Intelligence, aims to find exactly where students struggle without adding to their screen time. However, recent classroom research suggests that while digital drill tools can boost quick recall, they rarely improve problem-solving skills on their own.
What Happened
According to XtraMath's official announcement, the non-profit organization was selected for the NewSchools 2026 Learning Solutions cohort. The funding will support the development of Fluency Intelligence, a feature within its paid XtraMath Pro tier. This new system analyzes daily classroom data to generate a "Weekly Classroom Brief." Instead of forcing busy teachers to wade through dashboards, the brief flags struggling students and offers strategies to help them catch up.
The core XtraMath math fact practice program will remain free to all schools, supported by the revenue from the paid Pro version. XtraMath's leadership emphasizes that the new tool supports, rather than replaces, teacher expertise, and keeps daily adaptive student practice capped at 10 minutes.
The Bigger Picture
For years, advocates of math-fact drills have argued that quick recall frees up a student's working memory for complex problem-solving. But according to an analysis of federal educational standards, this claim is classified as expert opinion rather than an empirically proven fact. While practicing basic facts is valuable, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' definition of fluency focuses on flexibility and strategic accuracy, not just raw speed.
A 2026 meta-analysis of math fluency interventions showed that while math drills help students recall facts quickly, they have a much smaller effect on actual word problems. In fact, depending on how they are implemented, some drill programs can sometimes result in negative progress for certain children.
School systems also struggle to find the right balance of screen time. While XtraMath aims for a short 10-minute session, school guidelines often pile multiple tools together. For example, Portland Public Schools' instructional technology guidelines recommend up to 15 minutes a day for fluency apps like i-Ready Fluency Flight, but mandate that these must not replace other core math software. This accumulation of screen time can worry parents. As we previously explored in our analysis of how digital games target attention and basic skills, short digital sessions do not always lead to deep, lasting cognitive development.
Research also raises questions about whether 10 minutes is even enough to make a difference. A two-year randomized trial of the Khanmigo tutoring tool showed that even 25 to 40 minutes of daily digital instruction yielded only modest math gains, with student engagement as the primary barrier.
Finally, automated teacher briefs have their own limitations. A systematic review of AI instruction concluded that digital dashboards do not automatically improve teaching. They only work when teachers actively translate those reports into physical classroom support. Experts argue that educators must practice the concept of "meta-diagnosis", meaning they must actively verify and double-check AI-generated recommendations against their own everyday observations of a student.
What This Means for Families
For parents and educators, the takeaway is clear: automated reports are helpful starting points, but they cannot replace hands-on teaching. While tools like XtraMath help build immediate recall, they do not automatically make children better at conceptual math or complex word problems. If your child is struggling with math, a 10-minute automated drill might help them get faster, but they will still need human guidance to understand the deeper "why" behind the numbers.
What You Can Do
To help your child, focus on flexibility over speed by encouraging them to solve problems using different strategies rather than just racing against a timer. You should also verify automated insights. If a digital dashboard flags your child as struggling, talk directly with their teacher to see if that struggle shows up on their paper worksheets as well. Finally, monitor cumulative screen time by keeping track of how many different learning apps your child uses daily to ensure they do not experience digital fatigue.