CPM Research

Where Math Education
Meets Evidence.

CPM is committed to advancing mathematics teaching and learning through rigorous research. Explore how we support educators, fund studies, and share findings that improve outcomes for students in grades 6–12.

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Teachers collaborating around a math problem

Our Foundation

CPM's Three Pillars of Research

Pillar 01
Collaborative Learning
2006Initial learning of a concept is best supported by discussions within cooperative learning groups guided by a knowledgeable teacher.
2013Students learn ideas more deeply when they discuss ideas with classmates.
2024Students participate more fully in mathematics when they jointly construct mathematical ideas with their peers in inclusive classroom environments.
Pillar 02
Problem-Based Learning
2006Integration of knowledge is best supported by engagement of the learner with a wide array of problems around a core idea.
2013Students learn ideas more usefully for other arenas when they learn by attacking problems — ideally from the real world.
2024Students develop conceptual understanding and ownership of mathematical ideas when they are meaningfully involved in mathematical decision-making.
Pillar 03
Mixed, Spaced Practice
2006Long-term retention and transfer of knowledge is best supported by spaced practice or spiraling.
2013Students learn ideas more permanently when they are required to engage and re-engage with ideas for months or even years.
2024Students become increasingly proficient at identifying problem types and selecting appropriate strategies as they experience problems mixed within and spaced across assignments.

Get Involved

Three Ways to Engage with CPM Research

University Support

Complimentary, renewable 18-month Teacher Edition eBook licenses for mathematics teacher educators, their students, and researchers — no strings attached. Ideal for math methods courses and student teaching.

Learn About University Support

Research Grants

CPM funds three levels of research — dissertation ($30K), exploratory ($50K), and extensive ($250K) — to advance understanding of mathematics teaching and learning in grades 6–12 across the United States.

View Research Grants

Teacher Research Community

The TRC supports CPM teachers in investigating problems of practice, collaborating with national peers, and sharing findings — because CPM has always believed the best ideas come from teachers. Over 125 teachers have participated since 2014.

Explore TRC

For Parents, Teachers & Administrators

Research Briefs

Accessible summaries that connect educators and families with current scholarship on mathematics teaching and learning.

Request a Research Brief
Designing Mathematics Instruction in the Wake of Crisis
How teachers can navigate the tension between meeting students where they are and maintaining the rigor of their curriculum — even amid disruption.
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Inclusion and Intervention: Understanding "Disability" in the Math Classroom
Supporting students with learning and intellectual disabilities through productive struggle and collaborative, cognitively-demanding problem-solving tasks.
Download PDF
Beyond Cooperation: Building Collaborative Classroom Cultures
Why collaborative classrooms — shaped by inquiry and argumentation — differ from cooperative ones, and how that distinction drives deeper engagement and rigor.
Download PDF
It's Not I Do – We Do – You Do: CPM's Three-Part Lessons
How CPM's lesson structure supports student agency and ownership of learning — and why it differs fundamentally from the traditional gradual release model.
Download PDF

Evidence of Impact

See the Results for Yourself

35+
Years of Research
500+
Districts Nationwide
10+
Independent Studies
K–12
Curriculum Coverage

Connect with Us

Questions About CPM Research?

Whether you're a university researcher, a district leader, or a teacher curious about TRC, our research team is here to help. Reach out or explore our curriculum to see CPM in action.

Statistics

JAVA

Calculus
Third Edition

Precalculus
Third Edition

Precalculus
Supplement

2.3.4

Defining Concavity

4.4.1

Characteristics of Polynomial Functions

5.2.6

Semi-Log Plots

5 Closure

Closure How Can I Apply It? Activity 3

9.3.1

Transition States

9.3.2

Future and Past States

10.3.1

The Parametrization of Functions, Conics, and Their Inverses

10.3.2

Vector-Valued Functions

11.1.5

Rate of Change of Polar Functions

Matemática
Integrada I

Matemática
Integrada II

Matemática
Integrada III

Integrated I

Integrated II

Integrated III

Core Connections en español, Álgebra

Core Connections en español, Geometría

Core Connections en español, Álgebra 2

Core Connections
Algebra

Core Connections Geometry

Core Connections
Algebra 2

Core Connections 1

Core Connections 2

Core Connections 3

Core Connections en español,
Curso 1
Core Connections en español,
Curso 2
Core Connections en español,
Curso 3

Inspiring Connections
Course 1

Inspiring Connections
Course 2

Inspiring Connections
Course 3

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Algebra Tiles Blue Icon

Algebra Tiles Session

  • Used throughout CPM middle and high school courses
  • Concrete, geometric representation of algebraic concepts.
  • Two-hour virtual session,
  •  Learn how students build their conceptual understanding of simplifying algebraic expressions
  • Solving equations using these tools.  
  • Determining perimeter,
  • Combining like terms,
  • Comparing expressions,
  • Solving equations
  • Use an area model to multiply polynomials,
  • Factor quadratics and other polynomials, and
  • Complete the square.
  • Support the transition from a concrete (manipulative) representation to an abstract model of mathematics..

Foundations for Implementation

This professional learning is designed for teachers as they begin their implementation of CPM. This series contains multiple components and is grounded in multiple active experiences delivered over the first year. This learning experience will encourage teachers to adjust their instructional practices, expand their content knowledge, and challenge their beliefs about teaching and learning. Teachers and leaders will gain first-hand experience with CPM with emphasis on what they will be teaching. Throughout this series educators will experience the mathematics, consider instructional practices, and learn about the classroom environment necessary for a successful implementation of CPM curriculum resources.

Page 2 of the Professional Learning Progression (PDF) describes all of the components of this learning event and the additional support available. Teachers new to a course, but have previously attended Foundations for Implementation, can choose to engage in the course Content Modules in the Professional Learning Portal rather than attending the entire series of learning events again.

Building on Instructional Practice Series

The Building on Instructional Practice Series consists of three different events – Building on Discourse, Building on Assessment, Building on Equity – that are designed for teachers with a minimum of one year of experience teaching with CPM instructional materials and who have completed the Foundations for Implementation Series.

Building on Equity

In Building on Equity, participants will learn how to include equitable practices in their classroom and support traditionally underserved students in becoming leaders of their own learning. Essential questions include: How do I shift dependent learners into independent learners? How does my own math identity and cultural background impact my classroom? The focus of day one is equitable classroom culture. Participants will reflect on how their math identity and mindsets impact student learning. They will begin working on a plan for Chapter 1 that creates an equitable classroom culture. The focus of day two and three is implementing equitable tasks. Participants will develop their use of the 5 Practices for Orchestrating Meaningful Mathematical Discussions and curate strategies for supporting all students in becoming leaders of their own learning. Participants will use an equity lens to reflect on and revise their Chapter 1 lesson plans.

Building on Assessment

In Building on Assessment, participants will apply assessment research and develop methods to provide feedback to students and inform equitable assessment decisions. On day one, participants will align assessment practices with learning progressions and the principle of mastery over time as well as write assessment items. During day two, participants will develop rubrics, explore alternate types of assessment, and plan for implementation that supports student ownership. On the third day, participants will develop strategies to monitor progress and provide evidence of proficiency with identified mathematics content and practices. Participants will develop assessment action plans that will encourage continued collaboration within their learning community.

Building on Discourse

In Building on Discourse, participants will improve their ability to facilitate meaningful mathematical discourse. This learning experience will encourage participants to adjust their instructional practices in the areas of sharing math authority, developing independent learners, and the creation of equitable classroom environments. Participants will plan for student learning by using teaching practices such as posing purposeful questioning, supporting productive struggle, and facilitating meaningful mathematical discourse. In doing so, participants learn to support students collaboratively engaged with rich tasks with all elements of the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices incorporated through intentional and reflective planning.