Disentangle the Curriculum and Structural Effects of Math Pathway Reforms: Evidence from Maryland Community College System
This working paper from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University examines the impact of the Maryland Mathematics Reform Initiative in community colleges across the state. It analyzes how updates to math curricula and changes in departmental structures influenced student success between 2014 and 2019. The study finds that the initiative supported higher rates of developmental math completion within the first year. While the overall increase in gateway math completion was modest, colleges that adopted broader reforms, such as combining curriculum changes with corequisite support and more flexible placement approaches, experienced stronger outcomes in student enrollment and success in college-level math. The paper also emphasizes the importance of helping students make informed decisions about their academic programs and math pathways, which contributed to greater progression in mathematics.