With funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1991-1996, and in 2000-2006, the Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) developed a complete mathematics curriculum for middle school teachers and students. CMP helps students and teachers develop understanding of important mathematical concepts, skills, procedures, and ways of thinking and reasoning, in number, geometry, measurement, algebra, probability and statistics. CMP is based on research, and was field-tested in diverse sites across the country with approximately 45,000 students and 390 teachers. Each unit, in both 1991-1996 and 2000-2006 development periods, went through at least 3 cycles of field testing before being published.  Traditional textbooks can only undergo 1 cycle of testing, if any before publication.  A growing body of Research and Evaluation reports indicates that CMP outperforms non-CMP curricula on tests of problem-solving ability, equals or outperforms non-CMP curricula on skills tests, and promotes long term retention.

HOWEVER...NO curriculum, fancy technology, or even the best teaching can make up for strong parent support.  There is a strong debate raging over reform math and traditional math.  Millions of dollars are being spent on both sides to 'push' their textbooks.  There is no 'magic' curriculum or method.  The real issue for students success is parents. I have your student for less than 1 hour a day.  I can't monitor them at home or outside where REAL math experiences can be seen.  We must form a team with parents.  Ask you kids questions.  Go shopping, pay bills, look over your paychecks and calculate if the hours are correct, analyze a credit card bill...these are REAL LIFE experiences kids must see to make math a strength at home.  Math IS a lifelong skill that will be needed.  To make kids into strong math students, Parents need to be the teachers, and I will be the helper.