This NWEA research brief examines how access to early Algebra – a key gateway to advanced high school math, STEM majors, and higher lifetime earnings – remains highly inequitable across the United States. Using NWEA data from 162,000 eighth-grade students across 22 states, the study looks at both whether schools offer Algebra by 8th grade and how students are placed when it is offered. The findings point to significant gaps tied to school poverty levels, geography, and race/ethnicity.

This is the technical appendix to the “Unequal Access to 8th-Grade Algebra: How School Offerings and Placement Practices Limit Opportunity” research brief, which examines how access to early Algebra remains highly inequitable across the United States.

This white paper examines the landscape of middle school science course offerings, enrollment patterns, and assessment outcomes. The analysis of data from 2,200 schools finds that multi-disciplinary course models now dominate versus single-course offerings, though access to course types varies by race and ethnicity. In addition, students in different course models performed similarly on assessments.

This research brief examines whether taking Algebra in 8th grade instead of 9th grade improves student outcomes. Using a nationwide sample of MAP Growth scores for middle schoolers, NWEA researchers looked at how many students who were ready for Algebra actually enrolled, and how outcomes were affected for students who were or were not ready for the course.

This is the technical appendix to the research brief, “Getting Algebra Placement Right: Expanding Opportunity and Strengthening Preparation,” which examines whether taking Algebra in 8th grade instead of 9th grade improves student outcomes.

Using data from the MAP Growth National Dashboard, this Trends Snapshot report focuses on academic growth trends post-COVID and points to a positive turn for U.S. reading after years of stagnation. This positive trend was also noted for historically underserved groups who showed the largest reading gains from 2025 to 2026.

Using a case study from a U.S. school district, this research brief examines the practices and conditions of a coherent instructional system, and where and how it had the most impact. It offers a practical model that leaders can adapt in their own schools to help strengthen instruction across classrooms.