Top Ratings from EdReports.org

Mathematics courses for grades 6-12 authored by the Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin and published by Agile Mind, Inc. have all earned the highest distinction from EdReports.org, an independent reviewer of K–12 instructional materials. The programs now are alone in earning superior ratings from EdReports in both middle and high school mathematics.

“NAEP and high school assessment data show that far too few of our students have been deeply learning mathematics from grade 4 to grade 12,” says Doug Sovde, director of the Dana Center’s K–12 education work. “We’re proud that with these high-quality Dana Center–Agile Mind mathematics programs across grades 6-12, school systems can provide equal access, rigorous content, and social and emotional learning supports that help students succeed.”

EdReports reviewers determined the Dana Center–Agile Mind mathematics courses for grades 6, 7, and 8 meet expectations in EdReports’ three alignment areas of “Focus & Coherence,” “Rigor & Mathematical Practices,” and “Usability”—the highest rating possible. With this recognition, they now join the Dana Center–Agile Mind high school courses, which received top recognition in October.

The Louisiana Department of Education has also named the Dana Center–Agile Mind middle and high school mathematics courses as “Tier 1, Exemplifies Quality,” meaning they meet all non-negotiable criteria and score the “best possible on all indicators of superior quality.”

The Dana Center authors’ research-based approach focuses on ensuring that all students achieve deep understanding of mathematics and are equipped for success in post-secondary education and today’s workplace. Their work is also powered by a novel approach of crowdsourcing of user feedback and by empirical data on users’ experience, which inform continuous enhancement of programs.

As the EdReports review states, “all grades are coherent and consistent with the standards…The lessons include conceptual understanding, fluency and procedures, and application, and there is a balance of these aspects for rigor. The Standards for Mathematical Practice (MPs) are used to enrich the learning.”

Kathi Cook, who leads this work for the Center, notes “these mathematics courses are designed around the core belief that all students need and deserve access to challenging curricula every day.”

Dana Center–Agile Mind middle and high school courses are currently being implemented in 172 districts in 28 states.

About the Dana Center

The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin works with our nation’s education systems to ensure that every student leaves school prepared for success in postsecondary education and the contemporary workplace. Our work, grounded in research and two decades of experience, focuses on K–16 mathematics and science education — with an emphasis on strategies for improving student engagement, motivation, persistence, and achievement. We develop innovative curricula, tools, protocols, and instructional supports and deliver powerful instructional and leadership development.

About Agile Mind

Agile Mind, Inc., was founded to enhance one thing: the opportunity to learn. Agile Mind focuses on equity and high achievement in mathematics and science because of their importance to both the lives of students and the future of our nation. The Agile Mind mission—and promise—is to provide the programs, tools, and instructional improvement systems needed to transform student achievement through exemplary, sustainable teaching practices.