Curricula From Bill Gates-Backed 'Illustrative Math' Required In NYC High Schools

New York City announced a 'major citywide initiative' to increase 'math achievement' among students, according to the mayor's office.
93 middle schools and 420 high schools will implement an 'Illustrative Math' curriculum (from an education nonprofit founded in 2011) combined with intensive teacher coaching, starting this fall. 'The goal is to ensure that all New York City students develop math skills,' according to the NYC Solves web site (with the mayor's office noting 'years of stagnant math scores.')

Long-time Slashdot reader theodp writes:

The NYC Public Schools further explained, 'As part of the NYC Solves initiative, all high schools will use Illustrative Mathematics and districts will choose a comprehensive, evidence-based curricula for middle school math instruction from an approved list. Each curriculum has been reviewed and recommended by EdReports, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization.'

The About page for Illustrative Mathematics (IM) lists The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a Philanthropic Supporter [as well as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation], and lists two Gates Foundation Directors as Board members... A search of Gates Foundation records for 'Illustrative Mathematics' turns up $25 million in committed grants since 2012, including a $13.9 million grant to Illustrated Mathematics in Nov. 2022 ('To support the implementation of high-quality instructional materials and practices for improving students' math experience and outcomes') and a $425,000 grant just last month to Educators for Excellence ('To engage teacher feedback on the implementation of Illustrative Mathematics curriculum and help middle school teachers learn about the potential for math high-quality instructional materials and professional learning in New York City').

EdReports, which vouched for the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum (according to New York's Education Department), has received $10+ million in committed Gates Foundation grants. The Gates Foundation is also a very generous backer of NYC's Fund for Public Schools, with grants that included $4,276,973 in October 2023 'to support the implementation of high-quality instructional materials and practices for improving students' math experience and outcomes.'

Chalkbeat reported in 2018 on a new focus on high school curriculum by the Gates Foundation ('an area where we feel like we've underinvested,' said Bill Gates). The Foundation made math education its top K-12 priority in Oct. 2022 with a $1.1 billion investment. Also note this May 2023 blog post from $14+ million Gates Foundation grantee Educators for Excellence, a New York City nonprofit. The blog post touts the key role the nonprofit had played in a year-long advocacy effort that ultimately 'secured a major win' ending the city's curricula 'free-for-all' and announced 'a standardized algebra curriculum from Illustrative Mathematics will also be piloted at 150 high schools.'

As the NY Times reported back in 2011, behind 'grass-roots' school advocacy, there's Bill Gates!

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