Math for every learner. Impact in every classroom.
When students do math, they learn math—and IM is making that possible in classrooms across the country.
~48,700
teachers with access to IM Certified® curricula
1,955
districts with access to curricula from an IM Certified® partner
~2.6 million
students with access to IM Certified® curricula
44,700
IM Certified® Professional Learning attendees
IMpact at IM: Research-Driven, Classroom-Proven
At Illustrative Mathematics, we believe students learn math best when they do math—when they reason, problem solve, and collaborate. This belief drives everything we do, from curriculum design to teacher support to long-term impact research.
Our research priorities boil down to one essential question:
Are students learning to know, use, and enjoy mathematics?
To answer it, we focus on two key areas:
- The impact of IM Certified curricula on student achievement
- The impact of IM Certified curricula on student identity, mindset, and confidence in math
Throughout this page, you’ll see how our core belief—that students learn math by doing math—shows up across our curriculum, our partnerships, our implementation strategies, and the educators who bring our problem-based approach to life.
Curriculum Design Rooted in Research
A strong math curriculum isn’t just about well-structured lessons—it’s about how students experience math. IM’s problem-based curricula are grounded in decades of educational research, emphasizing productive struggle, mathematical discourse, and conceptual understanding.
Explore the research behind IM Certified curricula
Learn more about the evidence-based practices, instructional strategies, and learning progressions that shape IM’s design. Read What Research Is the IM Curricula Certified by Illustrative Mathematics® Based On.
Real-World IMpact
At Illustrative Mathematics, research isn’t just a foundation—it’s a driving force behind everything we do. Our commitment to evidence-based practices ensures that our curricula and professional learning experiences are rooted in what truly works for students and educators, creating real-world impact every day.
Across the country, districts using IM Certified curricula are seeing students engage more deeply, teachers teach with greater confidence, and classrooms transform into spaces where all learners can thrive. These stories show what happens when students experience math as sense-making—not just following procedures, but thinking, talking, and reasoning their way through it.
IM-Authored Case Studies
Real classrooms. Real challenges. Real breakthroughs. Hear directly from students, teachers, and leaders about how implementing IM’s problem-based instructional model is helping elevate math learning experiences across the country—one classroom at a time.
Greeley-Evans School District 6
This case study takes you inside Greeley-Evans’ journey—featuring candid conversations with teachers, leaders, and students as they implemented IM® K–5 Math from Imagine Learning, an IM Certified partner. See how thoughtful planning and strong collaboration are making a real impact on teaching and learning.
Homer Plessy Community Schools
At Homer Plessy Community Schools, the decision to adopt IM® 6–8 Math wasn’t just about a program—it was about creating access, voice, and confidence for every student. In this case study, educators share how IM’s problem-based approach is changing how their students experience math.
Des Moines Public Schools is an exemplar of what it looks like when the IM Classroom model is fully realized. See how IM® 9–12 Math is helping DMPS build a math culture where students think deeply, teachers feel supported, and success is shared.
With an unwavering belief that every child is college-bound, Downtown College Prep (DCP) creates environments that nurture students with a sense of belonging. In this case study, DCP shares why their decision to adopt IM® 6–8 Math was integral to their school district’s vision of providing high-quality instruction that meets the needs of all students.
By prioritizing teacher collaboration, professional learning, and IM’s rigorous curriculum, Green Dot Public Schools is setting students up for long-term success. See how Green Dot and IM are transforming math instruction by giving students consistent, meaningful opportunities to do the math—and own their learning.
We Want to Hear From You!
Your feedback shapes our work and helps us reach even more teachers and students. We’re committed to using your success stories to inspire educators nationwide and continually refine our materials to better support teaching and learning. Your voice is key in shaping the future of math education—join us in making an even greater IMpact!
What Our Partners Say About IM
What Educators Say About IM
Bringing joy and ownership to math learning
“D7, which is home to 8,000 students in the South Bronx, is a bridge to generational success, and we have adopted Illustrative Math. [It] is grounded, actually, in our core values [of] joy, unity, integrity, collaboration, and empowerment. Illustrative Math has brought joy to our learners because it [puts] the learner at the forefront, and they are owning their learning.”
— Wendy Battee, Math and Science Instructional Specialist, New York City Public Schools
Curriculum that truly reflects the standards
“I really appreciate how [IM is] focused on the actual standards. And when you crosswalk our Common Core standards with what IM asks [students] to do, they’re really trying to meet the requirements of those standards.”
— Isaac Rodenberg, District High School Math Curriculum Coordinator, Des Moines, IA
Creating positive learning environments
“We’re really working in an environment where we believe that all students can be successful, and we put in the work to make that happen. Students are ready to learn. Teachers create those positive environments so that students want to learn.”
— Heather Schacher, Math Department Chair at Ánimo Watts, Green Dot Public Schools, Los Angeles, CA
Driving IMpact Through Implementation Research
At Illustrative Mathematics, we understand that curriculum alone isn’t enough—implementation matters. To ensure students are truly doing math and not just learning about it, we study how our materials are used in the classroom, and how we can better support teachers in creating learning environments where students are the thinkers and doers. Our implementation research helps us uncover the best strategies, structures, and supports for maximizing student engagement and learning. This research not only drives our commitment to supporting educators but also empowers them to create lasting change in their classrooms, helping all students learn math for life.
‘ARE WE DOING IT RIGHT?’ Tool guides curriculum implementation
This article discusses the benefits of using a shared observational tool—IM’s Implementation Reflection Tool (IRT)—to help educational leaders and teachers make sustained changes in practice that positively impact instruction.
Professional learning vs. PD: THE DISTINCTION MATTERS
Shifting from a “PD mindset”—focused on sporadic learning events not tied to a larger vision—to a “professional learning mindset” centered on shared growth opportunities and the ability for educators to integrate what they’ve learned is key to achieving lasting change in instructional practices.
The Contribution of Mathematics to School STEM Education
Based on interviews with educators from four districts implementing IM Math, this study highlights how the curriculum’s instructional model—featuring collaborative, real-world problem-solving and structured mathematical discourse—led to meaningful shifts in classroom practice. Educators reported increased student engagement, stronger achievement in math, and a lasting appreciation for problem-based instruction.
Developing Collaborations Among Mathematicians, Teachers, and Mathematics Educators
The authors highlight the interdisciplinary nature of mathematics education, emphasizing the need for expertise from both the fields of mathematics and education. They point to Illustrative Mathematics as a model organization that fosters such collaboration, bringing together professionals from both fields to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics.
Professional Learning that Reflects Our Belief
IM MathLab™ is a professional learning experience where educators observe classroom instruction to gain insights from student thinking, examine structures that foster and sustain classroom community, and witness problem-based teaching and learning in action. For students, IM MathLab offers an opportunity to develop mathematical flexibility beyond their regular math class. They collaborate with other students to explore math in a fun, hands-on environment and practice making their brilliant mathematical ideas visible to others.
- Teachers leave with tools to support deeper learning through doing.
- Students explore math collaboratively and joyfully, building confidence and understanding along the way.
IM MathLab Teacher Reflections
In 2024, MathLabs in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Syracuse, New York, brought together educators and students for powerful shared learning. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive—and proof that problem-based learning can shift attitudes as well as outcomes. Watch the video to see for yourself!
Research Collaborators
Don’t just take our word for it—hear from our independent research collaborators!
At Illustrative Mathematics, we invite independent researchers to measure our impact. Our collaborators conduct rigorous research studies on IM’s curriculum and professional learning. This evidence-based approach helps ensure that the belief guiding our work—students learn math by doing math—translates into meaningful outcomes for teachers and students alike.
If you are a research institution interested in collaboration, please email us at [email protected].
JOIN THE IM RESEARCH COMMUNITY
Are you a math educator ready to make an even bigger IMpact? Join the IM research community and help shape the future of math education!
Grounded in Best Practices for Effective Mathematics Education
IM’s rigorous, standards-aligned K–12 curricula are expert-authored and rooted in well-respected pedagogy and methodology, meeting all expectations for focus, coherence, rigor, mathematical practices, and usability, according to EdReports.
Educators Recognize IM as a Trusted Leader in Math Education
Top 5 in Math Content Providers
Top 4 in Name Recognition
Top 2 Attributes: Innovative and Trustworthy
Results from a 2024 independently administered brand awareness study.
Dig Deeper into IM’s IMpact—Explore Our Annual Reports
Explore the milestones, stories, and collective achievements that showcase IM’s ongoing commitment to creating a world where all learners know, use, and enjoy mathematics.
Ready to see the IMpact IM Math can have on your students?
Schedule a call with our team to explore how IM’s problem-based curricula help students build deep understanding, confidence, and a love of math. Whether you’re aiming to boost achievement, support diverse learners, or strengthen instructional practice, we’re here to help you make a lasting difference.
Let’s talk about what’s possible—student success starts with an IMpactful math experience!
