The D2S2 Initiative: A Bold Approach to Digital Learning

At the Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin, we believe every student deserves access to high-quality, engaging, and research-backed math education. We are proud to partner with the Digital Design for Student Success (D2S2) initiative, a statewide effort to modernize introductory college courses and expand access to open educational resources (OER).

Texas’ Commitment to Student Success

D2S2 is a collaborative initiative led by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) Division of Digital Learning. Institutions across Texas—including UT Austin, home to the Dana Center, and Texas A&M University—are joining forces to develop innovative, accessible course materials, with the Dana Center providing entry-level mathematics OER and Texas A&M providing entry-level English OER. The initiative is comprised of three core areas: content development and enhancement, professional learning, and continuous improvement efforts.

D2S2 is redefining collaboration in higher education. We’re incredibly proud to lead this initiative aimed at fostering academic preparation and supporting students in developing essential skills as they pursue and achieve credentials of value.

– Gwendolyn Morel, director of the Division of Digital Learning at the THECB.

Addressing the Need for High-Quality Math Courses

As Texas works to prepare students for high-demand careers, foundational math education remains critical. Although OER are intended to save students money, they can often contain outdated content, lack support and workforce applications, or be misaligned with Texas Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs). To truly support student success, OER must be intentionally designed with academic rigor and career relevance. Along with alignment to defined SLOs, ensuring statewide transfer goals is essential to ensure students are well prepared for further education and the workforce.
“I've had the privilege of leading the first year writing project for three years. In that time, it has evolved from a single-instructor-developed course to a multi-institutional, peer-reviewed project. I'm excited to see how it evolves in this next phase,” said Terri Pantuso, associate dean for Assessment and Curricular Matters at Texas A&M. 

Through the D2S2 initiative, modern math course content is designed to:

• Engage students through active learning strategies.

• Support students through integrated social-emotional learning.

• Use real-world data and relevant content.

• Align with Texas SLOs set forth by the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) to support transferability and consistency across institutions.

This course model is designed to support dual-credit students by helping them progress efficiently through their academic pathways at little to no cost. By using OER, students gain access to high-quality course materials without the burden of textbook expenses, reducing financial barriers and promoting fair access to college-level learning.

The Dana Center’s Role in Reimagining College Math

As a national leader in mathematics education reform, the Dana Center is developing high-quality math courses that are relevant, engaging, and firmly aligned to workforce needs. The Dana Center has designed college-level courses for quantitative reasoning, introductory statistics, and the pathway to calculus. Regardless of the mathematics content, each course is built on design standards informed by best-practice research and the neuroscience of learning and memory. Courses undergo multiple pilot stages to ensure effectiveness. 

The Dana Center Mathematics Pathways (DCMP) curriculum design standards prioritize:

• Student-centered learning

• Real-world applications 

• Interdisciplinary connections

• Technology integration 

• Active learning instructional strategies 

“The Dana Center understands that high-quality curriculum can be a lever for systemic change. We are excited to collaborate with THECB and Texas math faculty to support teaching and learning in gateway mathematics courses using our DCMP curriculum,” said Susan May, director of curriculum at the Dana Center.

Integrating Professional Learning With OER

Beyond developing content, we are also investing in faculty development. This summer, the D2S2 Math Affiliate Academy will provide free professional learning for Texas math faculty and teaching assistants (TAs), equipping them with the tools they need to implement new OER and active learning strategies. Faculty and TAs who join the summer workshop will move into communities of practice in fall 2025 and, building on their summer insights, will receive ongoing support from the Dana Center and D2S2 in implementing OER. Space is limited, so Texas faculty and TAs are encouraged to apply soon.

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Math Education

The D2S2 initiative is a testament to Texas’ dedication to educational excellence. Melissa Taylor, senior associate dean for Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at UT Austin comments, “D2S2 ensures students across Texas have access to high-quality, transferable math courses that prepare them for college success and, ultimately, for the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce. But this effort goes far beyond course design. It serves as a powerful catalyst for unprecedented collaboration, integrating College of Natural Sciences faculty into work of the Charles A. Dana Center and strengthening partnerships between The University of Texas at Austin and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.” 

With Texas A&M, UT Austin, and other institutions contributing their expertise, D2S2 is transforming how Texas students experience introductory college courses.