At first students would convert their assigned math problems into Kaktovik numerals to do calculations, but middle school math classes in Kaktovik began teachin

At first students would convert their assigned math problems into Kaktovik numerals to do calculations, but middle school math classes in Kaktovik began teaching the numerals in equal measure with their Hindu-Arabic counterparts in 1997. Bartley reports that after a year of the students working fluently in both systems, scores on standardized math exams jumped from below the 20th percentile to “significantly above” the national average. It sounds like they objectively are doing better though. Bottom 20th to above average is non-trivial. Even if you look at it from the point of view that learning a different base(binary, hex), any base, teaches you to think differently about math, why not learn the native base for extra confidence?