September 23, 2024 9:00 am

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Partners with Imagine Learning to Strengthen Math Proficiency in Grades 4 and 8

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Partners with Imagine Learning to Strengthen Math Proficiency in Grades 4 and 8

Tempe, Arizona – September 23, 2024 – The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently announced its partnership with leading K–12 digital curriculum provider Imagine Learning to implement the Small Group Targeted Instruction (SGTI) service, which delivers high-dosage tutoring to small groups of students in all the core subjects. This statewide initiative will provide math tutoring throughout the 2024–2025 school year for over 3,000 students in grades 4 and 8, addressing critical needs in math proficiency and preparing students for success in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS).

A Statewide Commitment to Academic Excellence

Through this partnership, DESE reaffirms its commitment to enhancing student achievement in math by leveraging Imagine Learning’s SGTI service. Starting on September 16, 2024, certified intervention specialists will deliver personalized math instruction to small groups in 30-minute online sessions, three times per week, supplementing regular math classes. By focusing on grades 4 and 8, this data-driven program aims to prepare students for pivotal standardized tests and build a strong foundation for their future academic success.

“We’re thrilled to work with Imagine Learning and believe their SGTI program will have a great impact for our students,” said Dr. Fabrice Kandjanga of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). “By focusing on personalized, high dosage instruction, we can work to close the math proficiency gap better and set our students on a path to long-term success.”

Why Imagine Learning?

Imagine Learning’s SGTI service was chosen for its proven track record in delivering high-impact educational interventions. With certified intervention specialists driving the program, Imagine Learning’s SGTI service ensures that every student receives the personalized attention needed to overcome math challenges. Delivered through a secure online platform, the program is designed to be accessible to all students, regardless of location or background, in an effort to bridge the gap in equitable access to learning.

“We’re proud to bring our highly regarded SGTI program to Massachusetts, where it will make a direct impact on student learning outcomes,” said Kinsey Rawe, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Imagine Learning. “By strengthening students’ math skills and proficiency with high dosage tutoring, we’re giving students the tools they need to achieve long-term success in their academic careers and beyond.”

The Impact on Massachusetts Students

This Massachusetts initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of unfinished learning in math. By equipping students with the skills to excel in math, the program will play a crucial role in helping them achieve success on the MCAS and in their future academic pursuits.

For more information on how Imagine Learning’s intervention service supports students in core subjects, English language development, and test prep, please visit Imagine Learning SGTI.

About the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) 

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is committed to ensuring that every student in the Commonwealth receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success in school and beyond. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and a focus on equity, DESE works to support educators, students, and families across the state. 

About Imagine Learning 

Imagine Learning is a leading provider of K–12 digital education solutions, working alongside teachers to support over 18 million students nationwide. With a comprehensive portfolio of core curriculum, supplemental programs, innovative courseware, and school services, Imagine Learning is committed to helping students achieve their full potential. 

Academic Integrity Alerts in Imagine EdgeEX 

Imagine EdgeEX

See academic integrity violations all in one place 

As part of the Academic Integrity Bundle, teachers will now see academic integrity violation alerts in a student’s course structure to help identify patterns and stop cheating. These alerts will help teachers see violations all in one place. 

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Transfer Enrollments in Imagine EdgeEX

Imagine EdgeEX

Increased flexibility for administrators 

The newest Imagine EdgeEX power feature, Transfer Enrollments, is now available! This permission-driven action allows users to transfer Imagine EdgeEX enrollments between sections of the same course. It is the first time users have been able to manage enrollments in this way. 

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New Benchmark Performance Level State Alignments in Imagine Math 

Imagine EdgeEX

Benchmark performance levels now aligned to New Mexico, North Dakota, and Vermont standards 

Did you know? Following each Imagine Math benchmark test, students are classified into Performance Levels. Combined with the Quantile® Measure, these levels can be used to group students into similar skill levels and determine appropriate instruction.  

The following states have aligned their state-wide assessments with the Quantile® Framework.   

  • Alabama  
  • California  
  • Connecticut  
  • Delaware  
  • Hawaii  
  • Idaho  
  • Illinois  
  • Indiana  
  • Kansas  
  • Minnesota  
  • Missouri  
  • Montana  
  • Nevada  
  • New Hampshire   
  • New Mexico (new) 
  • North Carolina  
  • North Dakota (new)
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Texas    
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Vermont (new)  
  • Washington    
  • West Virginia  
  • Wyoming

Accessing state-aligned results and reports

Through Imagine Math’s partnership with MetaMetrics®, educators in these states will see Benchmark Performance Levels reflect those used in their state end-of-course assessments. Educators in the states listed above should refer to the Imagine Math “Performance Level Guide”, accessible in the Teacher Dashboard > Reports > Benchmark. Note that definitions of Performance Levels — and the Quantile® Measure ranges that comprise them — vary by state. 

Benchmark reports

New Cumulative Standards Proficiency Report Views Coming to Imagine MyPath

Imagine EdgeEX

School- and district-level views available by the end of September

The brand-new Cumulative Standards Proficiency Report was released in Imagine MyPath last month. Aligned to standards for all 50 states, this report provides a snapshot of student progress towards standards proficiency. In addition to being available in student- and class-level views, school- and district-level views will be released by the end of September!  

Learn more about these new reports in the Help Center

Proficiency reporting

New Printable Student Dashboard in Imagine Language & Literacy

Easily share data — all on one printable page 

View and print student progress all in one place, on one page. Now you can view and print this one-page student dashboard anytime to share with specialists or families. Learn more here

printable dashboard

Imagine Language & Literacy 93-Day Testing Window Removed 

More flexibility for assessment scheduling 

Previously, a student needed to wait 93 days between taking their placement test and taking an assigned benchmark. We listened to feedback and decided to remove this waiting window. This will let students take their placement test and immediately take the benchmark if assigned within the allotted benchmark timeframe. 

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Automatically Reassign Expired Benchmarks in Imagine Language & Literacy

Streamlining the benchmark process 

In Imagine Language & Literacy, benchmark assessments expire after a certain amount of time. When these benchmarks expire, a request was required with customer service to reassign the benchmarks.  

Now, these tests will be automatically reassigned if the test expires within the allotted benchmark window. Removing the extra step of requesting and creating consistency with Imagine Español’s process. 

reassigning benchmarks

Bulk Edit or Delete Students in Imagine Language & Literacy

Streamlining the rostering process

Rostering students just got easier. Administrators can now bulk edit or delete students within the portal. Learn more here

rostering

Twig Science Suite: New and Updated Teacher Guides 

Twig Science

Ten new or updated guides have been added as in-product support to give guidance on everything from lab safety to culturally and linguistically responsive teaching — giving educators more tools to implement Twig Science effectively and with purpose.  

Where to find the guides:

Elementary 

Find the guides listed below in Review > Review Program > Resources  

  • Guide to Scientific Discourse 
  • Language and Classroom Routines (updated) 
  • Guide to Lab Safety (new) 
  • Guide to Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching (new) 
  • Guide to Customizing Twig Science (new)  

Find the guides listed below in Grade Level Resources under 3-D Assessments  

  • Guide to Using the Assessment Center (new) 
  • Guide to 3-D Assessment (new)  
Twig Elementary guides

Where to find the guides:

Middle School

Find all middle school guides in Grade/Discipline > Professional Learning

  • Guide to Scientific Discourse Language and Classroom Routines (updated) 
  • Guide to Lab Safety (new) 
  • Guide to Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching (new) 
  • Guide to 3-D Assessment (updated) 
  • Guide to Customizing Twig Science (new) 
Twig Guides middle school