Overview
NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) launched NYC Solves in the 2023–2024 school year. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that all New York City students develop math skills, a critical requirement for educational, career, and lifetime success. Based on extensive research, NYC Solves will ensure that students receive high-quality curricula taught by well-trained and coached teachers.
NYC Solves requires high school math classrooms to adopt a single, uniform curriculum called Illustrative Mathematics. For middle schools, districts will choose from a list of pre-approved curricula.
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 are 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 superintendent and principals that is supported by deep, intensive training and support. Teaching our children to be skilled mathematicians is an absolutely essential step in ensuring each New York City Public Schools student graduates on a pathway to a rewarding career and long-term economic security, equipped to be a positive force for change.
We envision a mathematics learning experience where: Students are empowered to make sense of mathematics both in the classroom and beyond; Teachers facilitate instruction that is student-centered, inquiry-based, and coherent; and Content provides opportunities for students to engage with cognitively demanding, mathematical concepts that are connected to one another and the world around them.
About the Curricula
A curriculum is how standards, or learning goals, for every grade and subject are translated into day-to-day activities. As part of the NYC Solves initiative, all high schools will use Illustrative Mathematics and districts will choose a comprehensive, evidence-based curricula for middle school math instruction from an approved list.
Each curriculum has been reviewed and met expectations by EdReports, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization. In addition to the EdReports review, each selected curriculum has undergone a formal review by a committee of New York City Public school educators including school leaders, central staff with expertise in mathematics, special education and multilingual learners and district-based mathematics specialists. This NYCPS review was based on alignment with the NYCPS Shifts in Mathematics, quality of mathematical tasks, strength of math language development, engagement of and accessibility for diverse learners, and alignment with CR-SE principles.
You can learn more about the high school curriculum by accessing the Illustrative Mathematics website.
NYC Solves was launched in the 2023–24 school year in phases:
Meeting the Needs of Every NYC Student
Resources for Families
There are many resources available for families to continue promoting math education at home, and to ensure that your child is getting solid math instruction.
Attend an Open House: take opportunities to engage with your school to learn more about what your child is doing in the classroom.
We encourage parents to attend Open House nights and other opportunities to engage with the school and school leadership so they can ask questions like, is my child receiving regular instruction in math? How often and when? What support is the school providing when my child needs extra help? How can I support them with their learning at home?
Ask your child about their work: Check in with your child and ask if they are enjoying math and if they understand what they are learning.
Can your child explain what they are working on in mathematics?
If you ask them why they solved a problem the way they did or how they know if their answer is right, can they explain their thinking to you?
Do the Math! When children see other members of their family use mathematics in daily life, they are more excited about learning. Think out loud with them as you schedule your day, double a recipe, budget at the grocery store, etc. We also believe that seeing other members of the family using mathematics is a great way to encourage students in these skills outside of the classroom.
For more resources to support mathematics at home, visit our Family Engagement Resources which provides activities and ideas to help students continue learning beyond the classroom.
Resources for Families
There are many resources available for families to continue promoting math education at home, and to ensure that your child is getting solid math instruction.
- Attend an Open House: take opportunities to engage with your school to learn more about what your child is doing in the classroom.
- We encourage parents to attend Open House nights and other opportunities to engage with the school and school leadership so they can ask questions like, is my child receiving regular instruction in math? How often and when? What support is the school providing when my child needs extra help? How can I support them with their learning at home?
- Ask your child about their work: Check in with your child and ask if they are enjoying math and if they understand what they are learning.
- Can your child explain what they are working on in mathematics?
- If you ask them why they solved a problem the way they did or how they know if their answer is right, can they explain their thinking to you?
- Do the Math! When children see other members of their family use mathematics in daily life, they are more excited about learning. Think out loud with them as you schedule your day, double a recipe, budget at the grocery store, etc. We also believe that seeing other members of the family using mathematics is a great way to encourage students in these skills outside of the classroom.
For more resources to support mathematics at home, visit our Family Math Engagement Resources which provides activities and ideas to help students continue learning beyond the classroom.