What I’ve Learned Implementing NYC Solves

After nearly 25 years of teaching middle school math, I’ve seen many different instructional approaches come and go. Throughout my career, I’ve taken pieces from different curricula to craft a style that best supports my students. That experience proved invaluable when I piloted the Illustrative Mathematics (IM) curriculum—just one year before it became a key component of NYC Solves, the city’s new math initiative.

Having used the curriculum firsthand and engaged in professional development around it, I’ve seen both its bright spots and its challenges. These experiences provide key takeaways for city leadership as they consider what to reinforce and what to improve in order to ensure all students receive high-quality math instruction.

Bright Spots: What’s Working in NYC Solves

A Problem-Solving Approach That Fosters Student Ownership

One of the strongest aspects of NYC Solves is how it structures learning through a problem-solving approach. Instead of simply presenting students with formulas and methods to memorize, the curriculum introduces real-world situations and guided activities that lead students to discover mathematical principles on their own.

In my 7th-grade classroom, this approach has been particularly effective. Each unit typically includes two to three activities designed to tap into students’ prior knowledge, helping them build on what they already understand. I like to think of this method as a funnel—students start with broad ideas, and my role as a teacher is to guide them in narrowing their focus until they reach a shared understanding.

This process encourages students to take ownership of their learning. Instead of passively absorbing information, they actively engage with concepts, developing deeper critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ultimately, this shifts the teacher’s role from simply providing answers to facilitating discussions, refining ideas, and ensuring students grasp the underlying mathematical concepts.

A Planning Calendar That Supports Flexibility

Another major win is the introduction of a citywide planning calendar designed to help teachers stay on track. For too long, curriculum implementation has assumed that all students progress at the same pace, which isn’t the reality in any classroom.

The planning calendar acknowledges that teachers are professionals who know their students best. It provides structure and a set of high-quality tools while allowing educators to adjust as needed—whether that means spending extra time on a challenging topic or moving ahead when students grasp a concept quickly. With access to student data, teachers can make informed decisions that ensure each learner is getting what they need.

Leadership That Listens to Teachers

Perhaps the most encouraging development is that city leadership is actively listening to educators. The addition of new guidance in response to teacher feedback is a sign that those making decisions are willing to refine their approach based on real classroom experiences.New York City’s school system is vast and diverse—there’s no such thing as a perfect curriculum. But by empowering teachers with the tools and resources they need, we can ensure that every student has access to high-quality math instruction tailored to their learning needs.

Challenges: Where NYC Solves Needs Support

Addressing Learning Gaps with Supplemental Support

While NYC Solves provides a strong instructional framework, one challenge is that it assumes students are performing at grade level. The curriculum builds on concepts introduced in previous years—for example, the way it teaches equations assumes that students have developed foundational skills in 6th and 7th grade. But some students enter my 8th-grade classroom without those prerequisites.

This approach works well for students who are on track, but what about those who need extra support? The solution lies in targeted interventions that identify students’ weak spots and provide additional resources to bridge the gaps. In my classroom, I’ve found success using short instructional videos and small-group sessions that focus on specific skills students may have missed. These tools help students catch up while allowing the rest of the class to move forward.

Making Academic Intervention More Accessible

In addition to targeted instruction, I believe every school should have built-in Academic Intervention Services (AIS) within the school day. At my school, we offer after-school and Saturday programs to help struggling students, but not every child has the ability to attend extra sessions outside regular hours.A better solution would be to integrate AIS into the daily schedule so that all students—regardless of their availability—have access to the support they need. In my experience, conducting diagnostic assessments three times a year helps pinpoint where students are struggling, ensuring that intervention efforts are data-driven and effective.

What’s Next: Strengthening NYC Solves for the Future

For NYC Solves to reach its full potential, we need city leadership to build on what’s working while proactively addressing its challenges. Here’s what I believe should happen next:

1. Double Down on What Works: Continue the work of NYC Solves by supporting problem-solving instruction and teacher feedback to strengthen the rollout.
2. Address Learning Gaps: Provide more structured intervention programs within the school day, ensuring that all students can access additional support when needed.
3. Expand the Vision Beyond NYC Solves: Math instruction must go beyond traditional concepts. We need to integrate financial literacy and real-life applications of math, to ensure students have the skills they need to thrive beyond graduation.

NYC Solves should not be the end goal—it should be the starting point of an ongoing conversation about improving math education citywide. If we continue refining it by listening to educators, it has the potential to become a national model for success.

As a veteran educator, I want that for my colleagues. I want that for my students. And I believe we can get there—if we commit to listening, adapting, being patient, and pushing forward together.

Jevada Wright