Hi friends,
It’s been a while! Momentum is back with a new format, and I hope you find it helpful and smile at my silly math puns. So, without going off on a tangent, here are a couple of points to factor into your thinking:
As you may know, the Gates Foundation is making a historic $200 billion commitment to saving and improving lives over the next 20 years before closing its doors permanently in 2045. We have a lot to figure out before we close our doors, but I can say without hesitation that education remains the foundation’s top priority in the United States and will be a focus for the foreseeable future. We remain committed to our North Star goal of ensuring that more students achieve Algebra passage rates by no later than 9th grade and persist on diverse math pathways through high school. Your ongoing work in so many ways, including harnessing AI in digital tools and curricular titles, improving core and supplemental materials, ensuring teachers receive title-aligned professional support, and grounding this work in students’ motivation and academic acceleration, is truly remarkable. Thank you!
A new Gallup report confirms how important this work is: The vast majority of Americans think math is important and wish they learned more in school. Business leaders want students with better skills. More students need high-quality materials, engaging and relevant instruction, and compelling narratives that affirm that everyone can achieve the necessary mathematical proficiency for success in the world ahead. As the California Math Council’s President, Ma Bernadette Andres-Salgarino, makes clear in this op-ed, “we must ensure our teachers have high-quality materials to foster achievement and joyful experiences in math.”
We’re optimistic about what’s ahead and share Bill’s belief that progress is possible. Looking across the field, I see amazing work in classrooms all over the country because of your hard work, in curricula adoption of high-quality materials, new enactment strategies, and incredibly thoughtful teaching.
Remember: = > ÷
In partnership,
Bob Hughes
Director, K-12 Education
Quick takes
A new report is out from our partners at the Research Partnership for Professional Learning (RPPL)
Why it matters: It’s a first-of-its-kind playbook to align, define, and evaluate curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL), something the field clearly needs but has had trouble connecting the dots on.
The bottom line: Clear, aligned terminology ties teacher learning directly to high-quality instructional materials—and, ultimately, stronger student outcomes.
New report on the supply and demand of curriculum-based professional learning
Why it matters: With many districts and states preparing to adopt new high-quality instructional materials, curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL) is a critical lever to support educators district-wide in enacting these new materials that help them more quickly drive student impact.
The bottom line: Rivet Education (along with the Center for Education Market Dynamics and EdReports) compile their shared best-in-class information on the state-of-the-market to highlight the trends in effective professional learning to support implementation of new HQIM.
Our partners at RAND have also looked at CBPL in their latest report from the American Educator Panels.
Why it matters: Most teachers do not get the math-specific professional learning they need. RAND’s latest survey suggests that a curriculum-based professional learning approach could be the most effective way to meet the needs of both teachers and students.
All Things Algebra 1
EdResearch for Action’s new report on Algebra 1 outlines approaches and recommendations to help address the gaps in access and success in Algebra 1.
Why it matters: Algebra 1 is the gateway to upper-level math, college eligibility, and many STEM careers—yet who gets in (and when) still hinges more on zip code than skill. Read the news coverage here in The 74 and this summary on EduProgress.
What we're reading
Math special report in Ed Week
Lacey Robinson in the Hechinger Report—improving math instruction
TeachFX: Math is emotional—Ed Tech leaders should embrace it
Opinion: Boosting Florida’s economy requires better K-12 math education
Florida Chamber calls for stronger math education to close the skills gap