The Impact of the Illustrative Math Curriculum on Middle School Math Achievement

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Abstract

This study examines the impact of Illustrative Math (IM), a widely adopted high-quality curriculum, on middle school math achievement in Massachusetts. Leveraging a quasi-experimental design with propensity score matching, we compared the trajectory of math achievement in 71 IM schools to similar non-IM schools following IM adoption. Analyses revealed negligible effects in the first two years post-adoption but a significant positive effect of 0.19 standard deviations by year three. These impacts were driven by pre-COVID-19 adopters, particularly in grades 7–8, where impacts were as large as half of a standard deviation. These findings underscore the potential of IM to improve student outcomes and align with equity-focused state initiatives promoting access to rigorous, standards-aligned curricula.

Authors

• Noman Khanani, WestEd

• Kirk Walters, WestEd

• Rebecca R. Perry, WestEd