Grant Open

A State Framework for Innovative Learning Models in Math

NCER

Program: From Seedlings to Scale Grants Program

Award amount: $499,999

Principal investigator: Matthew Petersen

Awardee:

New Classrooms Innovation Partners, Inc.

Year: 2025

Award period: 1 year (09/30/2025 - 09/29/2026)

Project type:

Other

Award number: R305J250045

Purpose

As it stands, the current age-based grade-level model of math education limits students’ opportunities to achieve true proficiency and career readiness by ignoring the cumulative nature of math and requiring students to learn content for which they are not prepared. Although a personalized, competency-based approach could improve math achievement by meeting students where they are, the structures and policies in place at most schools, districts, and state education bodies are not positioned to allow design, development, and implementation of this type of learning model. For this project, New Classrooms and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) will collaborate to investigate the precise roadblocks preventing the adoption of personalized math learning models. Using insights and data gathered from a variety of stakeholders, the project will develop and iterate new implementation solutions for personalized learning in math. After testing and initial prototyping, New Classrooms and NDDPI will create a replicable framework for statewide implementation of these personalized math learning models. Our ultimate goal is to develop a North Dakota specific innovative learning model that integrates teachers and technology to look beyond the age-based classroom to emphasize mastery in math through personalized learning, and is adoptable and employable at the student-, classroom-, school-, and district-level.

Project Activities

This project aims to develop a comprehensive solution to support personalized competency-based math learning. In Phase 1 of Seedlings to Scale, New Classrooms and NDDPI will explore a new model for middle school math in North Dakota, grounded in research, stakeholder input, and a vision for personalized, competency-based learning. We will conduct user research, market analysis, and a policy landscape evaluation in North Dakota in collaboration with a working group of stakeholders to develop a detailed picture of the obstacles to be overcome by the proposed solution. Using the data collected and New Classrooms’ technological tools, we will undergo a co-design process with North Dakota educators to design a set of school- and district-level implementation models that meet a variety of stakeholder needs. We will iterate on these concepts with frequent feedback and engagement with the local North Dakota community. When the solution concept is sufficiently refined, we will create prototypes and a rapid-cycle testing plan to validate it, and plan for future phases of this project. Throughout Phase 1, we will initiate conversations with policy makers regarding legislation supporting personalized learning to lay the groundwork for readiness for adoption and scale.

Based on our work in Phase 1, New Classrooms will solidify a proof-of-concept report, share our early-stage prototype, and formalize our R&D plan, outlining plans for continued implementation, research, and prototype development in Phase 2.