Mathematics Achievement Academies

The Mathematics Achievement Academies ecosystem includes courses in grade-level content and pedagogy, problem-solving and discourse, formative assessments across content strands, and leadership support sessions. The goal is to increase teacher knowledge by engaging in research-based, effective, and systematic instructional practices that enable students to develop problem-solving skills and a strong foundation of number sense and fluency. Stipends are available for specific programs and eligible educators. 

Education service centers (ESCs) offer professional development sessions. Educators or campus and district leaders can contact their regional ESC for more information. Educators at campuses with at least 50 percent of educationally disadvantaged students are prioritized.

Mathematics Achievement Academy Learning Opportunities

Kindergarten-Grade 5 Mathematics Achievement Academies

This three-day academy for grades K–5 covers effective and systematic instructional practices in mathematics. Educators who complete the academy can receive a $350 stipend, minus taxes, and deductions. Outcomes include:

• Build knowledge and comprehension of robust mathematics understanding
• Explain learning progressions and identify critical checkpoints for (a) whole number operations based on place value and (b) fraction concepts
• Analyze instructional components that develop fluency and number sense
• Evaluate instructional components to address diverse learners’ needs
• Identify and apply assistive technologies that support conceptual and procedural understanding, problem-solving proficiency, and formative assessment

Grade-level Topics 

 Kindergarten–Grade 1 Topics

• Number of concepts and relationships
• Whole number operations
• Beginning fraction concepts

Grade 2 Topics

• Place value
• Properties of operations
• Relationship between addition and subtraction

Grade 3 Topics

• Whole number addition and subtraction
• Multiplication and division of whole numbers
• Fraction concepts

Grade 4 Topics

• Whole and rational number addition and subtraction
• Multiplication and division of whole numbers
• Fraction concepts

Grade 5 Topics:

• Whole and rational number addition and subtraction
• Whole and rational number multiplication and division
• Fraction operations

Academy Extensions

Problem Solving and Discourse

This academy for grades K–3 is a blended learning opportunity with two half-day trainings (face-to-face or virtual) and a six- to eight-week online component. A three-day academy is a prerequisite. Educators who complete the academy can receive a $100 stipend, minus taxes, and deductions. Outcomes include:

• Build knowledge and understanding of a problem-solving heuristic for any mathematical content
• Identify the problem-solving habits of a proficient solver
• Build knowledge and understanding of mathematical language routines that support the problem-solving heuristic
• Build knowledge and understanding of formative assessment strategies that reveal student thinking in the problem-solving model
• Build knowledge and understanding of five practices that support mathematical discourse and student voice and agency with the problem-solving heuristic

Formative Assessment and Applying the Content Across the Strands

This two-day academy for grades K–3 is in face-to-face or virtual format. A three-day academy is a prerequisite. Outcomes include:

• Build knowledge and comprehension of effective and systematic instructional practices in mathematics
• Identify instructional components that develop understanding of length, area, figures, and data analysis
• Build knowledge and understanding of shared learning intentions and success criteria for clarity
• Build knowledge and understanding of planning for mathematical discourse to strengthen student voice and agency
• Build knowledge and understanding of planning for effective mathematical tasks that advance learning for all students
• Connect understandings of length, area, figures, and data analysis with numbers and operations

Academies for Leaders 

Leadership Overview 

District and campus administrators engage in an overview of the Mathematics Achievement Academy system, components, and research-based instructional practices. 

Leadership-Based Implementation Support

Leaders will integrate instructional practices with their campus and district instructional goals in collaboration with other campus leaders.