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Fantasy sports are changing lives and transforming math education. The programs are being used in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and higher education. The games are eliminating discipline problems, reducing absenteeism, helping teachers to be more effective, and changing student attitudes toward math. Empirical data collected by the University of Mississippi (results can be found below) indicate that fantasy sports are playing a major role in helping students to be successful, as teachers report that grades, attendance, motivation, and test scores are all higher.
Amazing stories are taking place at schools throughout the country. Some of these stories are illustrated in our documentary film (you can watch the trailer by clicking on the large green button above). One teacher uses fantasy basketball to teach algebra to students who are severely disabled and students who have autism. The games are also helping families to connect, as sons and daughters get help selecting their teams from their fathers, brothers, and grandparents. Basically, fantasy sports are changing lives, both academically AND socially.
At some schools, everybody is playing: Students, teachers, administrators, staff, and parents. New friendships are being formed. School community is promoted. Fantasy sports are also helping to empower girls and break down the gender gap. Girls report that fantasy sports are “cool,” and that the games help them to relate to the boys as equals. In short, we believe fantasy sports represent our best hope to reduce math illiteracy in the U.S.
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Author Dan Flockhart will discuss his Fantasy Sports and Mathematics programs throughout the year. Every month we'll be posting new audio podcasts/netcasts here on the website and you can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or any other podcast/netcast software. 
