Midland ISD will provide opportunities that fuel students' curiosities and build confidence in mathematics by engaging in equitable, rigorous, research-based mathematics instruction. Students will engage in lessons that allow productive struggle, collaboration, problem-solving, and the development of conceptual understanding, procedural skills, and fluency. We will ensure all students can apply mathematical knowledge in real-world situations. With the support of all stakeholders, Midland ISD students will graduate college, career or military ready.

1. We believe in the balance of conceptual understanding, procedural skills, and fluency.

Students engage in mathematics using multiple representations, number sense, and respectful mathematical discourse to connect conceptual understanding to abstract procedural skills. We commit to flexible and reasonable thinking, so students can solve problems with automaticity using multiple strategies.

2. We believe in the value of productive struggle to enhance academic growth.

Students participate in productive problem-solving where they will have multiple opportunities to practice, discuss, represent, and write to justify their thinking. Productive struggle allows students to engage with challenging problems and concepts and fosters resilience, perseverance, and critical thinking that prepares students for future academic and life challenges. This process provides for ownership of learning and increases student motivation and engagement, enhancing academic growth.  

3. We believe in daily engagement through rigorous, collaborative mathematical instruction.

Students develop an extensive understanding of the priority mathematical standards for their specific grade level that aligns with the TEKS's rigor. Students need multiple opportunities to apply their knowledge to tackle real-world, relevant tasks and verbalize their “why” to justify their thinking. Students must be provided opportunities to collaborate through respectful discourse and written and oral justifications. 

4. We believe that key mathematical concepts are connected within and across grade levels.

Students participate in strategic progress of learning so that new understandings are anchored on previous foundations. We believe mathematics should be taught coherently from lesson to lesson, unit to unit, and grade to grade. Mathematics tells a continuous, connected story. We commit to working together to align key grade-level TEKS with the curriculum and make connections with key ideas across grade levels.

K-5 Math Coordinator 

Alaina Boaz 

alaina.boaz@midlandisd.net