Connected Mathematics Project

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Connected Mathematics Project

Connected Mathematics is a complete middle school math curriculum for students and teachers.

With funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1991-1996, and in 2000-2006, the Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) developed a complete mathematics curriculum for middle school teachers and students. CMP helps students and teachers develop understanding of important mathematical concepts, skills, procedures, and ways of thinking and reasoning, in number, geometry, measurement, algebra, probability and statistics. CMP is based on research, and was field-tested in diverse sites across the country with approximately 45,000 students and 390 teachers. Each unit, in both 1991-1996 and 2000-2006 development periods, went through at least 3 cycles of field testing. A growing body of research and evaluation reports (2006 Evaluation Booklet, New Studies, CMP Literature Review 2010) indicates that CMP outperforms non-CMP curricula on tests of problem-solving ability, equals or outperforms non-CMP curricula on skills tests, and promotes long term retention.

08/04/2026

Learning, collaborating, and experiencing CMP4 through multiple perspectives!

“We need to give students a chance to rise to the level of math and thinking that we want to see.”

That spirit was shared throughout the 2026 CMP Summer Institute and 90% of attendees said they would enthusiastically recommend the experience to a colleague.

Thank you to our presenters and participating educators for bringing such energy, curiosity, and care to an incredible week of professional learning!

07/27/2026

Four decades. 600+ studies. One curriculum!

Since the 1980s, the Connected Mathematics Project at Michigan State University has designed, developed, field-tested, and evaluated middle-grades math materials alongside real teachers and real classrooms.

Since the release of CMP1 in 1996, more than 600 research and evaluation studies have examined CMP’s impact and effectiveness — 339 journal articles, 136 dissertations and theses, 66 conference proceedings, 64 books and book chapters, and 38 evaluation studies. 643 studies in total, making CMP one of the most extensively researched mathematics curricula in the history of math education.

We’ve pulled it all together into a 2-page Research Overview: the goals behind the curriculum, the numbers, and what the evidence shows.

Read the full overview at www.connectedmath.msu.edu

06/29/2026

What an incredible three days!

The 2026 Connected Mathematics 4 Summer Institute brought together mathematics educators from across the country to learn, collaborate, ask questions, challenge ideas, and grow together.

Throughout the week, participants experienced CMP4 from the learner’s perspective, explored the connections across grade levels, dug into the research and instructional design behind the curriculum, and built relationships with colleagues who share a passion for meaningful mathematics teaching.

One of our favorite pieces of feedback came from a participant who shared that they were “floored” by the depth, intentionality, and thought behind Connected Mathematics 4.

That is exactly why we gather!

To everyone who attended, presented, organized, and supported this year’s institute, thank you for making it such a memorable experience. Your energy, curiosity, and commitment to students made these three days truly special.

We’re already looking forward to next summer.

05/15/2026

We had a great time at the CREATE for STEM Mini-Conference at Michigan State University.

From lightning presentations and poster sessions to meaningful conversations with researchers and educators, the day was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when innovation and collaboration come together in STEM education.

A highlight was the keynote from Yasemin Copur-Gencturk, who challenged us to move beyond the “either/or” thinking around AI in education and instead embrace a thoughtful, evidence-based middle ground.

We also appreciated the engaging panel moderated by CMP Author Betty Phillips, featuring Dr. Copur-Gencturk and CMP’s Dr. AJ Edson, which sparked important dialogue around the role of AI and research in shaping the future of teaching and learning.

04/02/2026

Connected Mathematics4 2026 Summer Institute - Tickets on Sale

Taking a look back at last year’s Mini Summer Institute...

You can feel the energy in these moments!

Educators collaborating, challenging ideas, and leaning into those real “aha” breakthroughs.

Last summer was full of powerful conversations, fresh insights, and meaningful growth.

And this year, we’re taking it even further... bigger, deeper, and even more impactful.

We’re excited to bring even more educators together for an experience you won’t want to miss.

The Summer Institute is approaching! Whether you are a classroom math teacher, administrator, instructional coach, or practitioner, this experience is for you!

Join us:

📅 June 23–25, 2026

📍 Michigan State University

Visit our website for registration information!

03/20/2026

We were honored to welcome visiting scholar Ayla Carvalho to the CMP offices this week!

Ayla, a researcher from Brazil currently working with the University of Michigan, is exploring the role of textbooks and how teachers engage with them in mathematics classrooms. During her visit, she connected with our team, engaged in rich conversations around problem-based learning, and explored the impact and evolution of the Connected Mathematics Project.

Moments like these remind us of the global reach of this work and the shared commitment across borders to improving mathematics teaching and learning.

Thank you, Ayla, for spending time with us! We’re excited to stay connected!

03/14/2026

Happy π Day from the CMP Team!

Whether you’re exploring circles, sharing a slice of pie, or thinking of ways you'll continue to challenge students, today is a great reminder that mathematics is full of curiosity and discovery.

03/11/2026

Planning to attend the Connected Mathematics 4 Summer Institute this summer?

Just a reminder that early registration savings end this coming Sunday, March 15th.

We’re excited to gather with educators from across the country for three days of learning, collaboration, and planning at MSU.

📅 June 23–25, 2026

Visit our website, www.connectedmath.msu.edu, for registration info!

02/27/2026

📘 New in NCTM’s Mathematics Teacher: Learning & Teaching (PK–12)

We’re excited to share the article “Stepping Back So Students Can Step Up” (Vol. 119, Issue 2, Feb 2026).

This piece highlights how two CMP teachers create a powerful sense of belonging as students take agency over their learning and author mathematical ideas through rich classroom discourse.

The classroom examples come from the CMP unit Moving Straight Ahead and illustrate what happens when teachers intentionally step back so students can step into the mathematics.

When students see themselves as contributors and doers of math, engagement and ownership rise.

Congratulations to Kathleen Pitvorec, Susan Goldman, Kristy Regan, and Taylor Collins on this outstanding contribution to the field.

We encourage our audience to read the article at the link below:
NCTM February 2026DOI: https://doi.org/10.5951/MTLT.2025.0045

02/20/2026

We’re proud to share a newly published article in Education Sciences highlighting the design, field testing, and evaluation of Connected Mathematics®4 (CMP4).

In this study, CMP authors Alden Edson, Samantha Wald, and Elizabeth Difanis Phillips examine how teacher feedback shaped the development of CMP4 and how the curriculum promotes student engagement, problem-solving, and meaningful mathematical discourse.

Grounded in years of field testing across hundreds of classrooms, this research reinforces what many teachers already know: problem-based mathematics supports deeper understanding and stronger student voice.

Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/5/628

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East Lansing, MI

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http://connectedmath.msu.edu/, http://www.twitter.com/connectedmath

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