Illustrative Mathematics
Project Title
For a project to study the conditions, features, and impact of their online professional learning hub
Date
Sep. 10, 2020
Duration
15 months
Description
In order to impact mathematics learning at scale, teachers need access to high-quality, standards-aligned curriculum and teachers need content-based professional learning linked to the use of those materials. Illustrative Mathematics (IM) offers a highly-rated comprehensive, problem-based middle school mathematics curriculum with built-in supports for English learners and students with disabilities. In response to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IM has launched a virtual collaboration hub for teachers and teacher coaches to develop, share, and deepen their knowledge on effective instructional strategies and resources. Through this grant, IM will design and conduct a) a formative evaluation to explore how teachers use the virtual hub and b) a case study to explore how teachers are applying what they are learning to their practice, as well as c) disseminate their research findings to the field.
Project Title
For a project to develop partnerships with other professional learning organizations to support the implementation of a high-quality math curriculum
Date
Sep. 12, 2019
Duration
12 months
Description
Despite decades of attention and research into what mathematics curriculum, teaching, and learning should look like, the United States continues to see large achievement gaps between students in low socioeconomic status schools and their wealthier counterparts. In order to impact mathematics teaching and learning at scale and to close this gap, teachers need access to high-quality curriculum materials and complementary professional learning supported by school and district leaders. Even when schools adopt a coherent K–12 curriculum, well aligned, job-embedded professional learning supports are often missing. Through this renewal grant Illustrative Mathematics will (a) explore a partnership with Teaching Lab and The New Teacher Center to provide professional learning aligned to their math curriculum, and (b) create and adapt assets for district and school-based coaches working in districts implementing their math curriculum.
Project Title
For a project to design and implement a professional learning model to support middle school teachers using the Illustrative Math curriculum
Date
Jun. 14, 2018
Duration
18 months
Description
Despite decades of attention and research into what mathematics curriculum, teaching, and learning should look like, the United States continues to see large achievement gaps between students in low socioeconomic status schools and their wealthier counterparts. In order to impact mathematics teaching and learning at scale and to close this gap, teachers need access to high-quality curriculum materials and complementary professional learning supported by school and district leaders. Even when schools adopt a coherent K–12 curriculum, well aligned, job-embedded professional learning supports are often missing. Illustrative Mathematics (IM) seeks to develop curriculum-based professional learning supports that produce measurable growth in teachers’ knowledge and quality of instruction. IM has begun to create a three-year learning sequence for districts and teachers implementing the highly rated IM 6–8 Math curriculum. With support from the Corporation, IM will develop year two of the professional learning to support teachers and work with an external evaluator to measure changes in teachers’ practices using the curriculum.