EdCircuit Staff 
Charlotte, NC (Monday, August 19, 2024)—Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) today announced an expansion of its partnership with global edtech leader Discovery Education. Through this expanded collaboration, all students and teachers in grades K-8 will soon have access to DreamBox Math by Discovery Education. An engaging and adaptive math program that brings together curriculum and continuous formative assessments to personalize instruction, DreamBox Math improves achievement for every student, regardless of where they are in their learning journey.
PPS serves almost 20,000 students in 54 schools across Pittsburgh, and the district’s talented team is dedicated to ensuring all students will graduate high school, college, career, and life ready. At PPS, the teachers of mathematics embrace standards-based, high-quality instruction for every school, in every classroom, for every student, every day. The district’s instructional practices actively engage students in purposeful learning experiences that foster curiosity and encourage productive struggle while developing a deep conceptual understanding of mathematics as outlined in the PA Core Standards.
In 2023, PPS sought a classroom-tested, digital math program that was aligned to the district’s vision for math education and able to provide intervention, remediation, or enrichment to all students. At that time, the district selected DreamBox Math for use in grades K-2. Following a successful implementation in those grades, PPS has expanded their collaboration with Discovery Education to bring DreamBox Math to all students in grades K-8.
DreamBox Math has been certified as meeting the rigorous, evidence-based standards set forth by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and has achieved ESSA Tier I, II, III, and IV certifications. A unique supplemental math solution, DreamBox Math fosters the conceptual understanding, self-assurance, and motivation students need to develop a deep appreciation of complex mathematical ideas. DreamBox Math is a standards-aligned, digital program for K-8 students that adapts and differentiates in real-time based on the learner’s answers and problem-solving methods. By providing personalized instruction, DreamBox Math empowers students to become confident, lifelong learners, while equipping educators with actionable learning insights.
“Teachers of mathematics in the Pittsburgh Public Schools embrace standards-based, high-quality instruction for every school, in every classroom, for every student, every day,” said Rob Baier, Executive Director of K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math at the Pittsburgh Public Schools. “DreamBox Math helps provide the learning experiences our students need to explore the order, patterns, structures, and logical relationships that comprise mathematics, and we are excited to bring this resource to even more students this year.”
Over the past several years, Discovery Education has partnered with third-party research organizations, expert data scientists, and education researchers to analyze the efficacy of DreamBox Math on K-8 students nationwide. Through the execution of these studies, researchers found that students using DreamBox Math achieved higher proficiency in math when compared to students who did not.
In the most recent correlative study conducted in Florida’s Pinellas County Schools, usage of Dreambox Math showed statistically significant impact on math achievement. In this study, students who used DreamBox Math for the recommended amount of time scored 9.9 percentile points higher on NWEA’s MAP assessment than those that did not use DreamBox Math.
Additional findings from third party research on DreamBox Math found that:
- Students in need of intervention are more likely to meet or exceed learning goals with DreamBox Math
- DreamBox Math meets learners where they are and personalizes instruction for students who need extra help and students who are thriving
- English language learners benefit significantly from the unique approach DreamBox Math uses to support Spanish-speaking students
- DreamBox Math’s flexibility allows students to meet math goals while learning at home or in school
To learn more about Discovery Education’s ESSA certifications and to read the supporting research, visit Discovery Education’s Research and Impact website.
All educators using Discovery Education’s digital resources have access to the Discovery Educator Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Educator Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration.
“The Pittsburgh Public Schools have created a thoughtful, innovative framework to support high-quality mathematics instruction, and Discovery Education is proud to support their efforts,” said Discovery Education Manager of Education Partnerships, Heather Schrader. “We look forward to continuing to work alongside the district’s talented team as they support all students make sense of mathematics.”
For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
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