Practices Worthy of Attention

Practices Worthy of Attention was a joint initiative of Achieve, Inc., and the Charles A. Dana Center. The initiative was led by Pamela L. Paek, who examined 22 program, school, and district practices that showed promise—based on early evidence and observation—of strengthening secondary mathematics teaching and learning.

Our goal was to document practitioners' descriptions of what is really happening in the field to strengthen secondary mathematics education around the country. Thus, while the practice highlighted may be common, the specific structures and strategies used to implement the practice are worthy of attention. These initial investigations set out to mark these practices for future rigorous scientific inquiry by Dana Center and other researchers.

Ultimately, we hope to create a community of inquiry made up of university researchers working with administrators and teachers from featured schools and districts to more rigorously research how effectively these practices improve secondary mathematics learning for all students.

Highlights (pdf 600kb)

Executive Summary (pdf 380kb)

The executive summary details the methods for this initiative and analyzes themes.

Cross-Case Analyses

Raising Student Achievement Through Academic Intensification (pdf 264kb)

Building Teacher Capacity (pdf 275kb)

Practice Profiles

Academic Youth Development (pdf 186kb)

Agile Mind (pdf 235kb)

Algebra for All: Norfolk Public Schools (pdf 210kb)

Asset-Based Instruction: Boston Public Schools (pdf 196kb)

Collaboration of Special Education and Mathematics Teachers: Denver Public Schools (pdf 193kb)

Common Vision for Mathematics Succcess: Phoenix Union High School District (pdf 200kb)

Connecting Mathematics Assessment to Instruction: Anchorage School District (pdf 210kb)

Eastside College Preparatory School (pdf 214kb)

English Language Learners Mathematics Initiative: New York City Department of Education (pdf 185kb)

Evanston Township High School (pdf 223kb)

High Tech High (pdf 200kb)

Intensive Mathematics Program: Grant High School (pdf 175kb)

K–12 Aligned Mathematics Curriculum: Bellevue School District (pdf 222kb)

K–16 Mathematics Alignment: El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence (pdf 223kb)

Keeping Learning on Track: Cleveland Municipal School District (pdf 180kb)

Local Assessment System: Lamoille South Supervisory Union (pdf 201kb)

Mathematics Coaching: Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative (pdf 172kb)

Mathematics Teacher Leaders: Portland Public Schools (pdf 187kb)

Partnership for High Achievement (pdf 200kb)

Professional Learning Communities: Columbus Public Schools (pdf 189kb)

Step Up to High School: Chicago Public Schools (pdf 196kb)

YES College Preparatory School (pdf 230kb)