There appear to be two main reasons for failure to recall basic number facts. Some researchers attribute difficulties to limitations of short-term memory. That is, students do not retain several pieces of information in working memory long enough to make use of them. Some students, however, have difficulty with the basic number processes because they simply have not had enough practice and the responses have not become automatic. In previous work the author found that Year 3 and 4 students struggling with mathematics relied on rules and procedures even when these were inefficient and unreliable (Pearn, 2009; Pearn & Merrifield, 1996).

Year 4 students were tested using Peter Westwood’s One Minute Tests of Basic Number Facts (2000) and a paper and pencil Number Screening Test (Pearn, Doig, & Hunting, unpublished manuscript). The information from this testing was also to inform the professional development for teachers at the school.