NYC Solves is a unifying set of evidence-based, high-quality curricula designed to help our students learn to develop critical math skills. Rather than thinking of mathematics as memorization and procedures, this framework shifts towards making math fun, discoverable, and meaningful connections of big ideas and practices.
Why is this important?
Too many of our high school and middle school students are not meeting grade level proficiency in math. In 2022, two-thirds of Black and Latino students were not performing at grade level in math, and students in temporary housing and other students who have formal gaps in their education can fall behind when moving to a new school using a different curriculum.
Standardizing curriculum options across all New York City Public School Districts ensures that all students have access to the tools they need to build strong math skills and that instruction is consistent from grade to grade and school to school, offering our city's students a more level playing field. Using a standard curriculum allows teachers to collaborate easily with their peers and superintendents and principals to do professional development effectively while ensuring consistent quality class-to-class and school-to-school.
What is the approach?
Our goal is to ensure that every student in every classroom has access to quality, research-based curricula selected through collaboration between superintendents and principals that are supported by deep, intensive training and support.
Math Shifts
Mathematical proficiency is the interconnected development of what students know, how they think and see reason, as well as how they see themselves as mathematicians. The NYCPS Math Shifts provides an instructional pathway for strengthening that proficiency so students can continue learning mathematics and use it to understand and engage with the world.
Beginning with Sense-Making
Math learning begins with students thinking about an unfamiliar problem and the ways they might use what they already know to solve it. The teacher helps students make connections between the ideas of the class and the big ideas of mathematics. Math is a tool for making sense of the world and learning is more relevant and enduring.
Shared Low-Floor, High-Ceiling Tasks
All students work on the same at-grade-level mathematical task that is accessible enough for everyone to get started, open enough to allow a variety of strategies, and deep enough that it connects to important grade level standards. Students are able to engage in grade-level work in a way that builds upon and strengthens previous learning.
Discourse to Demonstrate Understanding
Students use discourse throughout the lesson by discussing and writing about their ideas and strategies as part of the learning process. They notice and wonder about unfamiliar problems, discuss, write about, and improve on emerging ideas, and compare their thinking with one another. Teachers support this by listening, asking questions, connecting ideas, and formalizing concepts. Learning in this way allows math language and content knowledge to develop in parallel and in support of each other.
Asset-Based Support
Teachers focus on what students know and can do. They identify students' strengths and use this information to help their students make sense of the math, turn challenges into productive learning, and access grade-level work. These types of supports foster positive math identities, agency and perseverance.
Shared High-Quality Instructional Materials
Teachers use a shared curriculum that is research-based, field-tested on a diverse set of learners, and expertly sequenced so that concepts can be developed coherently within and across grades. Teachers support one another and improve their own practice by working together to plan and reflect. Students experience consistent and equitable instruction across classes and schools.
Develop Fluency and Understanding Together
Fluency is accurate, efficient and flexible use of mathematics, and is evident when students can use high-priority content from memory to reason.
Launch Timeline
- Phase 1 High School (SY 2023-24)
Select Schools in High School Districts: Bronx (7, 9, 12), Bronx (8, 10, 11), Brooklyn North, Brooklyn South, Consortium, International, Outward Bound, CUNY & Urban Assembly, Manhattan, New Visions, Queens North, Queens South, Transfer Schools
- Phase 2 High School (SY 2024-25)
Additional Schools in High School Districts: Bronx (8, 10, 11), Brooklyn North, Brooklyn South, Consortium, International, Outward Bound, CUNY & Urban Assembly, Manhattan, New Visions, Queens North
- Phase 1 Middle School (SY 2024-25)
Districts: 2, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 26, 32
- Phase 2 Middle School (SY 2025-26)
Districts: 5, 6, 8, 17, 25, 31, 75
- Phase 3 Middle School (SY 2026-27)
Districts: 3, 9, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 30
- Phase 1 Elementary School (SY 2026-27)
Districts: 5, 11, 12, 25