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Math Innovation Zones—Rider 41
Goals and Objectives:
The primary goals of Math Innovation Zones (MIZ) are as follows:
• Increase student achievement in math with a specific focus on
improving 8th grade Algebra I readiness
• Promote long-term financial sustainability in school districts
General Description:
Math Innovation Zones is authorized by Section 28.020 of the Texas Education Code as established by Senate Bill 1318 and funded by the General Appropriations Act, Article III, Rider 41, 85th Texas Legislature. MIZ promote Pre-K through 8th grade math achievement by supporting school districts and charter schools in the creation and expansion of high- quality, blended learning programs. Blended learning is an innovative classroom model that leverages technology as a tool for teachers to personalize classroom instruction for all students. When implemented with high fidelity, blended learning has resulted in strong academic gains across many Texas districts.
Phase 1: Pilot Math Innovation Zones
TEA developed a set of blended learning fidelity of implementation requirements. Once developed, TEA identified pilot Math Innovation Zones across a diverse set of Texas local education agencies (LEAs) to test the effectiveness of the defined requirements. TEA is currently monitoring the pilot program’s planning and execution phases while providing the following supports:
• MIZ State Approved Blended Learning Software Vendor List
• MIZ State Approved Technical Assistance Network
• Outcomes-Based Grants for Achieving Predetermined Benchmarks
• TEA Negotiated Vendor Rates
• MIZ Programmatic Tools and Resources
Phase 2: Pilot Pay for Success Financing
Once TEA has demonstrated improved outcomes through pilot Math Innovation Zones, it will launch a Pay for Success (PFS) financing model to scale the program. PFS will minimize financial and operational risks, allowing the program to scale across districts and charter schools in Texas. TEA will work closely with a Pay for Success intermediary and a third-party evaluator to ensure this is an effective mechanism for scale.
Authority: Texas Education Code (TEC) § 28.020
Funding: The General Appropriations Act, Article III, Rider 41, 85th Texas Legislature, 2017
Resources: https://tea.texas.gov/Academics/Learning_Support_and_Programs/Math_Innovation_Zones/
Contact: Andrew Hodge, Director of Math Innovation Zones October 2018 andrew.hodge@tea.texas.gov Texas Education Agency, Special Projects (512) 463-9481
By the Numbers
Phase 1: Pilot Math Innovation Zones Year 1: Round 1 Pilot (2018-19)
• Over 9,000 Students Participating in Round 1 2018-2019: Round 1 Pilot
Pilot Across 14 Total Districts and Charter
• Over 9,000 Students Across 14 Districts and
Schools Representing Over 285,000 Students; Charter Schools Representing Over 285,000
All Planning Grant Participants are Eligible for Students; All Planning Grant Participants are
Outcomes-Based Follow-On Grant
Eligible for Outcomes-Based Follow-On Grant
• 5 Pilot Grant Districts and Charters: Dallas • 5 Pilot Grant Districts and Charters: Dallas
ISD, KIPP Houston, Mineola ISD, Spring Branch ISD, KIPP Houston, Mineola ISD, Spring Branch
ISD, and Tulia ISD ISD, and Tulia ISD
• 9 Exploratory Sites (Non-Grant Participants): • 9 Exploratory Sites (Non-Grant Participants):
Austin Achieve (Austin); Cisco ISD; Grand Austin Achieve (Austin); Cisco ISD; Grand
Prairie ISD; Laredo ISD; NYOS Charter School Prairie ISD; Laredo ISD; NYOS Charter School
(Austin); Point Isabel ISD; Pioneer Technology (Austin); Point Isabel ISD; Pioneer Technology
Arts Academy (Greenville); Southside ISD (San Arts Academy (Greenville); Southside ISD (San
Antonio); and Uplift Education (Fort Worth) Antonio); and Uplift Education (Fort Worth)
• 4 State Approved Software Vendors: Imagine • 4 State Approved Software Vendors: Imagine
Math, ST Math, IXL Math, Reasoning Mind Math, ST Math, IXL Math, Reasoning Mind
• 5 State Approved Technical Assistance • 5 State Approved Technical Assistance
Vendors: Afton Partners, CA Group, Education Vendors: Afton Partners, CA Group, Education
Elements, Engage2Learn, Clever Elements, Engage2Learn, Clever
2019-2020: Round 2 Pilot
Year 2: Round 2 Pilot (2019-20) • 10-15 Grant Recipients in Round 2 Cohort:
• 10-15 Grant Recipients in Round 2 Cohort: new set of grantees identified to launch MIZ
new set of grantees identified to launch MIZ
• 14 Round 1 grantees expand program to new • 14 Round 1 grantees expand program to new
grades, doubling the number of students grades, doubling the number of students
receiving benefits receiving benefits
Phase 2: Pilot Pay for Success Model Year 3: Pilot PFS Model (2020-21)
• 10-15 Districts Pilot Pay for Success Model: 2020 – 2021: Round 3 Pilot
Subset of grantees test new financing
• 10-15 Districts Pilot Pay for Success Model: mechanism to decrease barriers to scale
Subset of grantees test new financing
• 25-30 existing grantees scale program to new mechanism to decrease barriers to scale grades
• 25-30 existing grantees scale program to new • 10-15 grant recipients in Round 3 cohort
grades
• 10-15 grant recipients in Round 3 cohort
Use of Funds     FY 2018  FY2019
Competitive Grants to School Districts    $3,550,000 $3,900,000
Pay for Success Intermediary    $225,000
Pay for Success Evaluator       $225,000
Blended Learning Evaluator $100,000
Total Projected Expenditures for the Biennium: $4,000,000 $4,000,000
Total Allocated Expenditures for the Biennium:       $8,000,000

Math Innovation Zones—Rider 41
Contact: Andrew Hodge, Director of Math Innovation Zones October 2018 andrew.hodge@tea.texas.gov Texas Education Agency, Special Projects (512) 463-9481
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