Bringing Algebra to Life: A Collaboration for More Engaging Math

The Dana Center, Agile Mind, Inc., and Skew the Script are teaming up to ensure relevant, data-rich lessons are available for Texas algebra students. These lessons were developed by Skew the Script and will be embedded into the Agile Mind Texas Algebra 1 program authored by the Dana Center. 

This spring, five Texas teachers are piloting lessons that use real data to enhance students’ learning of traditional algebra concepts––systems of equations, exponential growth and decay, and quadratic modeling. Integrating new data-driven scenarios into traditional math curricula enables students to learn algebraic concepts and grasp their real-world impact. This approach is designed to help students see the value of what they are learning.

Advancing Mathematics Through Collaboration

The collaboration between the Dana Center, Agile Mind, and Skew the Script marks an exciting leap forward in modern math education. 

“Our ongoing relationship with Agile Mind has allowed our middle and high school mathematics courses to be used by roughly 250,000 students last year alone. The curriculum leverages technology to create engaging, interactive, and relevant learning experiences for students, and teachers rely on its embedded supports,” said Susan May, director of curriculum at the Dana Center. “Now embedding Skew the Script contexts and methodology into this collaboration, we’re able to offer Texas algebra students even more opportunities to interact with interesting and real-world problems that motivate students to learn algebraic concepts.”

Agile Mind is known for its comprehensive math programs for grades 6–12 that support both teachers and learners. Their learning approach connects concepts to real-world experiences, aiming to inspire student engagement and boost student achievement. All Agile Mind middle and high school mathematics courses were recently awarded a perfect score of 100% on the high-quality materials rubric from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Linda Chaput, founder and CEO of Agile Mind, shared, 

“This partnership with Skew the Script, the Dana Center, and Agile Mind with the Texas Algebra 1 course can help motivate a new generation of students to see the relevance and importance of math in their everyday lives. We are proud to support it.” 

Skew the Script offers free, dynamic math lessons for AP Statistics, Algebra I, and Algebra II. While not a full curriculum, the lessons dive deep into compelling, real-world questions—with topics ranging from the cost of college to the environmental impact of electric cars to the economics of social media influencers. Skew the Script aims to transform how students experience math, helping students see the practical applications of their learning. 

Theo Wells, director of professional learning at Skew the Script, added, “Skew the Script is honored to be partnering with the Dana Center and Agile Mind in this work, and we are excited to help infuse our highly relevant lesson contexts into their amazing materials.”

The pilot program is being closely evaluated to assess its impact on student engagement and learning outcomes. Teachers will receive ongoing support and professional development to help them effectively implement the new lessons. Feedback from this pilot will be instrumental in refining the lessons and ensuring they meet the needs of both teachers and students. 

What’s Next

This summer, the Dana Center will present key insights at the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching (CAMT) to build on the discussions occurring around students’ abilities to navigate data. This presentation will provide insights into the effectiveness of the pilot program and highlight best practices for integrating data-rich contexts into math instruction.

Beyond CAMT, the Dana Center will be publishing communications this fall around the successes and challenges of the pilot program, lessons learned, and recommendations for other educators looking to incorporate real-world data into math curricula. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore the impact of data-rich lessons in algebra classrooms.