$2.5m gift aims to tackle crisis in maths teaching

La Trobe University has been given $2.5 million by the Bertalli Family Foundation to use its foundations in evidence-based learning to address Australia’s mathematics crisis.  

The gift will go towards the University’s Science of Mathematics Education (SOME) Lab, which was launched in 2025 to train teachers how to break down mathematical concepts into clear, logical steps to replace other methods that have left many students struggling with basic maths.  

Professor Joanna Barbousas, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Education, Impact and Innovation and Dean of the School of Education, said the Bertalli Family Foundation had been a strong supporter of La Trobe, and the gift was perfectly timed to address teacher re-training as state and federal governments mandated evidence-based or explicit teaching.  

The Bertalli Family Foundation has previously donated to La Trobe's work on explicit education, particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas. Projects have included the University’s acclaimed Science of Language and Reading (SOLAR) Lab, which has retrained thousands of teachers in evidence-based literacy.  

The latest gift also contributes to La Trobe’s Make Your Impact campaign, which uses philanthropic support for University projects that drive innovation in fields that will define Australia’s future.    

“This gift is a game-changer. It allows us to rapidly equip teachers with the tools they need to teach maths with confidence, clarity and impact,” Professor Barbousas said.   

“The Bertalli Family Foundation has backed our vision for evidence-based education for years and their support ensures we can help more children, especially in regional and disadvantaged communities, build the strong mathematical foundations they deserve.”  

Evidence-based or explicit teaching allows students to learn the foundations of a subject in a structured way, with teachers breaking down new concepts, modelling steps and providing meaningful opportunities for practice and feedback. It is a departure from inquiry-led instruction, which asks students to solve problems often without the required base knowledge.  

Education experts have repeatedly called for a more structured approach to education to halt Australia’s spiralling literacy and numeracy results.  

A report by the Grattan Institute last year found that one in three students fail to achieve proficiency in maths, while more than a quarter of teachers (28 per cent) didn't feel confident teaching topics at year 6 level.  

Neville Bertalli said too many students had been left behind in mathematics.  

“This investment reflects our belief that teachers deserve access to the best evidence about how children learn and that universities have a critical role to play in translating that evidence into real classroom impact,” he said.   

“La Trobe University has demonstrated national leadership in evidence-based education and the SOME Lab builds on a body of work we are proud to continue supporting.”  

SOME Lab will offer short, online courses for teachers to learn practical classroom skills in explicit teaching of mathematics.  

The Lab has appointed University of Winnipeg Professor Anna Stokke, host of popular podcast Chalk & Talk, and La Trobe’s Associate Professor Chrissy Monteleone as co-directors.   

The partnership brings together Professor Stokke's internationally recognised expertise in evidence-based mathematics education with Associate Professor Monteleone's deep experience in Australian teacher education and curriculum, ensuring the Lab's work is both research-informed and contextually relevant for Australian classrooms.  

"We're now seeing a much more direct focus on explicit teaching in mathematics in Australia, and it's encouraging to see pre-service and in-service teachers engaging with this research and reflecting on their practice," Associate Professor Monteleone said.  

“The SOME Lab will provide the targeted professional learning teachers need to meet to implement the evidence-based practices required in schools.”  

Professor Stokke said universities played a critical role in improving mathematics outcomes for children by equipping teachers with the knowledge and tools they need to help their students thrive.  

“La Trobe University is leading internationally in aligning evidence-based practices with the needs of schools and I am thrilled to be part of this work.”  

About the Bertalli Family Foundation   

The Bertalli family and its foundation has facilitated philanthropy in the education, medical, science, arts, disadvantaged communities and cultural sectors in rural and regional programs for more than 40 years.  

About the Make Your Impact campaign  

La Trobe University’s Make Your Impact campaign supports projects in areas where La Trobe is positioned to make the greatest impact, such as education reform, advancing AI technology, healthcare and bio-innovation. 

More information on the course is available here.