NYC Pins Hopes on New High School Math Curriculum to Improve Student Test Scores

New York City Public Schools will implement a uniform math curriculum, Illustrative Mathematics, in high school math classrooms to address low test scores. Districts will choose from pre-approved options for middle schools.

Mayor Eric Adams and schools Chancellor David C. Banks introduced the “NYC Solves” initiative, aiming to replicate the success of “NYC Reads.”

Starting this fall, 93 middle schools and 420 high schools in NYC will adopt the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum, already in use in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Seattle.

Despite a slight increase in math proficiency from 37.9% to 49.9% in 2023, many Black and Latino students in NYC are still below grade level in math.

NYC education officials are implementing “NYC Solves” to standardize math education and provide better support for students and educators.

Maria Klawe of Math for America praised NYC’s adoption of Illustrative Mathematics for its practical approach to teaching math concepts.

Illustrative Mathematics, led by William McCallum, emphasizes problem-based learning and supports teacher training for successful implementation.

New York City’s move towards a single math curriculum has garnered support from educators, aiming to improve instruction quality and consistency.

NYC’s Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning will support multilingual learners and students with disabilities with a $750 million budget and 1,300 staff members.

NYC has aligned with EdReports to review and recommend the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum, providing a standardized approach across schools.

Arlen Benjamin-Gomez of The Education Trust–New York supports the uniform curriculum, noting its benefits for teachers and implementation focus.

Teacher Meredith Klein raises concerns about fitting the new curriculum to specialized student populations, highlighting the need for adaptation and flexibility.