🌟Scaffolding Algebra Content and Language: Case Study – by Miguel Cordero | Fall 2025
proficientED
Professional Learning
Equitable Access to Rigorous Mathematics
Equity and Excellence for Minority Students in Mathematics: A Lens for Supervisors presented at NCSM 57th Annual Conference in Atlanta Georgia.
Mathematics proficiency is crucial for developing skills necessary for future studies and succeeding in higher education. Yet less than 50% of students achieved a proficient score or better on the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress. A school-wide approach to teaching mathematics is needed—one that leverages local talent and expertise to foster sustainability and embraces research-based practices proven to accelerate learning, making mathematics more accessible and meaningful for all, especially minority students.
In this session, we will take stock of the current state of teaching practices and familiarize ourselves with national trends to increase the success of minority students in mathematics. By engaging in a deep discussion of potential solutions, we will emphasize observable features of these practices to ensure that school leaders recognize them in action and are able to support their teachers.
Student Success Depends on the Educators Who Teach Them
The outcome for students is only as great as the sum of its parts. By working together, district staff, principals and teachers can build effective teaching practices that will create better outcomes for their students.
Research shows that students learn math more effectively by understanding and establishing connections to mathematical concepts, rather than just memorizing the steps to solve a problem. To do so requires a new way of teaching. Welcome to proficientED.
Work Through Productive Struggle
When students experience difficulty in traditional learning environments, teachers assume they are struggling because they lack the basic skills necessary to succeed in math. Traditional learning environments are designed to keep these students in remedial math until they “get the skill”. However proficientED is designed to help teachers allow students to work through a productive struggle. This way of learning has been tested and proven in New York City classrooms everyday, allowing students to struggle with unfamiliar tasks, persevere through the challenge and eventually succeed in learning the material and solving the problem. Both mathematical concepts and academic language develop together to reinforce each other and often interact in powerful ways. This approach allows teachers to gain valuable insight into what the students are thinking, which separates proficientED from other professional learning solutions.
So what should teachers do to increase successful outcomes for these underserved students?
proficientED has created a more effective approach, which follows an Arc of Learning and through this Arc of Learning teachers will acquire new strategies that allow them to:
Engage math learners with grade level, rigorous math
Place data at the center of math instruction
Communicate academic language in mathematics
proficientED
Arc of Learning
Increase Equitable Access to Rigorous Mathematics
Professional learning is a critical link in ensuring a quality education for students in underserved communities. proficientED’s solution solves many of the challenges today’s administrators and teachers face in the classroom. Through our professional training, professional learning communities and support for educators, together we can help improve the student’s outcomes.
Unlock the power of Illustrative Mathematics with proficientED
proficientED Offers Professional Learning that enhances the effectiveness of the IM curriculum
proficientED is now a licensee of Illustrative Mathematics (IM360), which means we are approved to provide professional learning to teachers currently using IM in the classroom.
As a provider of supplemental products and services for professional learning that are aligned to IM, proficientED empowers teachers with the skills and strategies necessary to create meaningful and equitable learning opportunities that prepare students for future success in mathematics.
Our mission is to provide educators with a customized professional learning solution that will enhance their ability to deliver an effective instructional program.
Our professional learning sessions are designed to:
Align with the specific goals and needs of your district and educators.
Support the effective and faithful implementation of the IM curriculum.
Emphasize student-centered, problem-based learning that builds conceptual understanding and active student engagement.
Integrate evidence-based strategies to help teachers make data-informed decisions that improve student outcomes.
Working Hand-in-Hand for Student Success
Over the last 20+ years, our companies have partnered with teachers, parents and students to provide education guidance for academic success. This includes:
- Principals and teachers with coaching and professional development training
- Parents with instructional guidance and parental involvement workshops
- Students with tutoring and instruction in literacy and mathematics
Learn More About Our Program