Core Connections (Grades 6-8)

Name: Core Connections (Grades 6-8)
Brand: CPM Educational Program (CPM)

by CPM Educational Program (CPM)

MathGrades 6–8

About This Curriculum

Core Connections (Courses 1-3) is CPM's flagship problem-based mathematics curriculum for grades 6-8 that builds deep conceptual understanding through collaborative learning and mixed spaced practice, available in English and Spanish in both digital and print formats.

What makes it unique: Time-tested program refined over decades emphasizing collaborative study teams, problem-based learning, and mixed spaced practice validated by 35+ years of mathematics education research.

Core Connections (Grades 6-8): Problem-Based Collaborative Math Curriculum

Core Connections is CPM's flagship problem-based mathematics curriculum for grades 6-8 that emphasizes collaborative learning and deep conceptual understanding. The curriculum uses mixed spaced practice and is available in both English and Spanish in digital and print formats.

Best for

Teachers and schools favoring collaborative, problem-based learning approaches for grades 6-8, particularly those seeking bilingual math curriculum options with strong conceptual emphasis

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 1 concern · 2 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum meets expectations for teacher supports according to EdReports, suggesting adequate professional development materials and guidance.

EdReports rated Gateway 3 (Usability) as 'Meets Expectations,' which includes evaluation of teacher supports and guidance materials

Retrieval PracticeStrength

The curriculum incorporates mixed spaced practice, which aligns well with research on retrieval practice and distributed review for long-term retention.

The curriculum specifically includes 'mixed spaced practice' as a key feature, supporting regular review and retrieval of previously learned concepts

Assessment DiagnosticStrength

The curriculum meets expectations for assessment according to EdReports, indicating appropriate diagnostic and formative assessment tools are included.

EdReports rated Gateway 3 (Usability) as 'Meets Expectations,' which includes assessment as a key component of usability evaluation

Conceptual Procedural BalanceStrength

The curriculum demonstrates strong balance between conceptual understanding, procedural skill, and application according to EdReports. This problem-based approach appears to integrate both aspects effectively.

EdReports rated Gateway 2 (Rigor & Mathematical Practices) as 'Meets Expectations,' indicating appropriate balance of conceptual understanding, procedural skill, and application

Direct InstructionConcern

The problem-based, collaborative approach suggests limited emphasis on direct, explicit instruction. This may not align with research favoring teacher-led explicit instruction for foundational skills.

Curriculum is described as 'problem-based' with 'collaborative learning,' which typically de-emphasizes direct instruction in favor of student discovery

Word ProblemsNeutral

The problem-based approach likely provides extensive application opportunities, though systematic instruction in word problem schemas is unclear. EdReports confirmed strong application components.

EdReports rated the curriculum as meeting expectations for application, and the problem-based approach inherently involves real-world problem solving

Sequencing ApproachNeutral

The curriculum uses mixed spaced practice, which aligns with research on effective topic sequencing. However, the focus on major work of the grade only partially meets expectations.

EdReports notes the curriculum includes 'mixed spaced practice' but rated Gateway 1 (Focus & Coherence) as only 'Partially Meets Expectations' regarding alignment to grade-level standards and focus on major work

Worked ExamplesInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence to determine how the curriculum uses worked examples or step-by-step modeling. The problem-based approach may rely more on collaborative exploration than direct instruction.

No specific information provided about worked examples or direct instructional modeling in the available reviews

Visual RepresentationsInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence to assess the curriculum's use of visual models, manipulatives, or concrete-representational-abstract progression.

No specific information provided about visual representations or manipulatives in the available reviews

Sources: edreports.org