It's 10:30 PM on a Tuesday. Your daughter has been staring at the same algebra problem for 20 minutes. You've tried to help, but honestly, you don't remember how to factor polynomials either. She's frustrated. You're frustrated. And you both know she has a test tomorrow.
Sound familiar?
When students struggle with math, it's almost never because they can't do it. It's because the system isn't designed to actually teach them.
The Real Reasons Students Fall Behind in Math
1. One Teacher, 30+ Students, 50 Minutes
Your child's teacher has 30 students in class and 50 minutes of instruction time. That leaves maybe 2-3 minutes of individual attention per student per class.
2. Students Are Terrified to Ask Questions
Asking a question feels like admitting you're the only one who doesn't get it. So students sit silently, nodding along, hoping it will click later. It rarely does.
3. "I Understand It in Class, But I Fail the Tests"
There's a massive difference between recognizing a solution and being able to create one yourself. It's like watching someone solve a Rubik's cube—you can follow along, but hand you the cube scrambled, and you have no idea where to start.
4. Math Builds on Itself (And Gaps Never Go Away)
If you don't truly understand fractions in 6th grade, you'll struggle with ratios in 7th. If you're shaky on ratios, you'll be lost in proportions in 8th. And once you're behind, the class keeps moving.
What Students Actually Need
Someone Who Asks Questions Instead of Giving Answers
Real learning happens when students think through problems themselves, guided by questions. This is called the Socratic method.
Personalized Support That Meets Them Where They Are
Every student needs support tailored to their specific gaps, moving at their own pace.
Help Available When They Actually Need It
Kids don't struggle conveniently between 3-5 PM on Tuesdays. They struggle at 10 PM when they're trying to finish homework.
Why We Built Lernos
We built an AI that refuses to just give answers. Instead of solving problems for students, Lernos acts as a Socratic coach. It asks guiding questions like "What information does the problem give us?" and "You're close—what happens if we think about it this way?"
The Bottom Line: Your Child Can Succeed in Math
If your child is struggling with math, it doesn't mean they're not capable. It means they need more time and practice than a classroom setting allows, someone who guides them to think, and support available when they're actually doing the work.
About the Author:
Ella is a recent Computer Science graduate from UC Riverside and co-founder of Lernos. After being placed in the wrong math class and struggling through gaps in her foundation, she and her brothers built an AI learning platform that teaches students to genuinely understand math.