Mathematics

The mathematics web page provides clarification, guidance, and support to mathematics stakeholders, including districts, schools, parents, educators, and students, for the development and implementation of the K–12 mathematics Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and mathematics graduation requirements.

Announcements

August Math Office Hours

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) Mathematics Curriculum team will hold office hours on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 2:30 to 3:30 (Central). The primary focus will be to answer questions about the Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program and various beginning of the school year issues, but all mathematics-related questions will be welcome. You can sign up to attend the office hours.


Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST) 2024-2025 cycle begins  

Do you know of an experienced teacher who is doing work worthy of national recognition? Are you doing great work that you want to share with others? The 41st cycle of the PAEMST awards program begins this Fall. You can nominate a teacher or sign yourself up. You can also sign up to be notified when the window opens and be the first to nominate one or more of Texas’s greatest teachers. For all of this and more information, visit the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching website.


2024 – 2025 Dates for ESTAR / MSTAR Assessments

The ESTAR/MSTAR program is designed to help guide instructional decisions in relation to students’ readiness for algebra. The results, which are reported using the Response to Intervention tiers, can be used to help teachers determine if students are on track or at risk for meeting curricular expectations in algebra and for algebra readiness. Results also help teachers determine the intensity of the instructional support students need if they have been identified as at risk for not meeting curricular expectations in algebra and for algebra readiness. Teachers are able to monitor students’ risk status by administering comparable forms of the ESTAR/MSTAR Universal Screener in fall, winter, and early spring.

ESTAR / MSTAR Dates

Window Universal Screener Dates Diagnostic Assessment Dates
Fall August 12 - October 11, 2024 August 19 - October 18, 2024
Winter January 6 - February 7, 2025 January 13 - February 14, 2025
Spring April 14 - May 16, 2025 April 21 - May 23, 2025

    Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program Webpage

    For additional information and updates, please visit the Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program.

    Math Frequently Asked Questions

    Got questions? We have answers.

    We have collected questions from over the years and compiled them and the answers on a brand-new Mathematics Frequently Asked Questions.

     

    Current Mathematics TEKS

    The links below provide access to the web-based version of the current mathematics Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do. You can also access a PDF version of the TEKS

    Additional related standards that support the TEKS

    Mathematics Curriculum Materials

    The following documents are provided to assist math teachers in the planning process.

    Instructional Materials Proclamations

    To see the SBOE adopted instructional Materials for kindergarten through grade 8, please visit Proclamation 2014.

    To see the SBOE adopted instructional Materials for high school, please visit Proclamation 2015.

     

    Texas Open Education Resources

    Texas Open Education Resources (OER): state-developed materials where the underlying intellectual property is either owned by the state of Texas or it can be freely used and modified by the state in perpetuity. These materials are made freely available forever in digital form to Texas school districts and educators to use or modify as they see fit. They can be printed to ensure students have access to paper instructional materials. In the future, TEA plans to ensure students have access to printed versions at cost. Finally, these materials are updated to improve their quality with new versions over time based on feedback from teachers and parents.

    Texas Gateway

    Gain instant access to the content you seek, whether you are looking for “just-in-time” resources that you can leverage during a particular lesson, sequenced binders of instruction that you can assign to students, or self-directed PD training courses that you can take to earn CPE credit hours. This is the gateway to the content you need for your classroom and for yourself, even as these needs shift from day to day. <From the Texas Gateway - About webpage>

    For more information visit the Texas Gateway.

    ESTAR / MSTAR

    The purpose of the ESTAR/MSTAR Universal Screener are to help guide instructional decisions in relation to students’ readiness for algebra. The results, which are reported using the Response to Intervention tiers, can be used to help teachers determine if students are on track or at risk for meeting curricular expectations in algebra and for algebra readiness. Results also help teachers determine the intensity of the instructional support students need if they have been identified as at risk for not meeting curricular expectations in algebra and for algebra readiness. Teachers are able to monitor students’ risk status by administering comparable forms of the ESTAR/MSTAR Universal Screener in fall, winter, and early spring.

    To learn more, visit  ESTAR/MSTAR on the Texas Gateway

    K - 2 Rapid Assessment

     

    Educators now have several new K-2-math diagnostic tools.  Texas A&M University and national early childhood math expert Dr. Herb Ginsberg of Columbia University have developed two types of diagnostic tools for K-2 teachers:  A rapid assessment tool and a flexible interview assessment.

    The rapid assessment offers a quick gauge of student ability.  The flexible interview technique offers a deeper understanding of student cognitive ability based on underlying research in the area of questioning strategy.  Together these tools add to teacher capabilities at the important early grades and allow educators to more effectively measure a student’s grasp of key math concepts.

    For more information, please visit K-2 Math Assessments webpage.

     

    Related STAAR Materials

    The following links provide support from the Student Assessment Division.

    For questions regarding these resources, please contact the Student Assessment Division vis their Help Desk.

    Several statewide mathematics professional development courses are currently available face-to-face at your ESC and online through the Texas Math Support Center. New courses will be available soon. For details on available courses and how to access them, contact your ESC, visit the Texas Algebra Ready website, or visit Texas Math Support Center.

    The resources below address various topics related to teacher assignments, the standards, and instructional materials.

    Revised Math TEKS Videos

    Teachers who need assistance may contact the help desk at txgateway@tea.texas.gov.
    The Revised Math TEKS (2012):  The goals for participation are to become familiar with the supporting documents, to examine how to use the documents to improve overall mathematics instruction, and to explore vertical alignment of mathematical concepts and processes within the revised math TE KS. Links are provided below so teachers may enroll in the following courses: 

    Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST)

    Overview

    The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K - 12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. The awards were established by Congress in 1983. The National Science Foundation, under the direction of the White House, approves the Texas candidates for the national award. This fall, the cycle will be for teachers of grade 7 through grade 12. 

    To learn more visit Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (outside source).

    If you are interested in helping out the 2024-2025 review cycle as either a mentor or reviewer, or have any other questions, please contact your Texas State PAEMST Coordinators at tx_paemst@tea.texas.gov.

      The 2023 competition recognizes kindergarten through grade 6 mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom. The Texas state elementary finalists we are listed below:

      • Tracy Fumo teaches grade 5 at Caldwell Performing Arts Academy in Tyler, TX.
      • Lauren Palos teaches grade 4 math and science at Stuchbery Elementary School in Pasadena ISD in Pasadena, TX.
      • Mark Rogers teaches grade 5 at Austin Achieve Middle School, Austin, TX.

      The 2023 competition recognizes grades 7 through grade 12 mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom. The Texas state secondary finalists we are listed below:

      • Sarah DiMaria teaches Precalculus and AP Calculus at Cedars International Charter School in Austin, TX.
      • Timothy McMahon teaches Precalculus, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics at Kaufman High School in Kaufman ISD in Kaufman, TX.
      • Michelle Duphorne teaches Advanced Algebra I, Algebra I, Advance Geometry, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics at Grand Prairie College Institute in Grand Prairie ISD, Grand Prairie, TX.
      • Sara Stieg teaches seventh grade Honors Math and eighth grade Algebra I at North Ridge Middle School in Birdville ISD, North Richland Hills, TX.
      Contact Information

      Curriculum Standards and Student Support

      (512) 463-9581

      For questions or additional information, please submit a Curriculum Request Form through the TEA Help Desk.

      Help Desk

      Please subscribe for newsletter updates from the mathematics team.

       

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      Math and Science Team

      Shawna Wiebusch
      Math and Science Director

      Carla Bailey
      Elementary Math/Science Content Specialist

      Julie Kuhn
      Mathematics Achievement Academies Coordinator

      James Slack
      Secondary Mathematics Specialist

      Michelle Sedberry
      Statewide STEM Coordinator

      Liz Baker
      Secondary Science Specialist