Case Study Overview:
Scope | 6th Grade Math | 3 States | 3 District Systems
Focus | Ratios, rational numbers, proportional reasoning
Impact | +29 point avg gains | Proficiency up to 5×
High-impact tutoring should not depend on geography, standards framework, or student demographics. In Texas, New York, and California, districts partnered with GROW to accelerate 6th grade math learning during a critical developmental year.
The Need
Sixth grade is a pivotal transition year. Students move from whole-number fluency to proportional reasoning, rational numbers, coordinate reasoning, and early algebraic thinking.
Across Aldine ISD (TX), NYC Public Schools, and Visalia USD (CA), districts identified similar challenges:
- Students entering below proficiency
- Weakness in ratios, decimals, and number system concepts
- Limited mastery of proportional reasoning and coordinate geometry
- Gaps that, if unaddressed, would compound in Grade 7 and Algebra I
Despite different standards frameworks, the underlying mathematical demands were the same.
The Solution
Each district implemented GROW’s structured, standards-aligned 6th grade math tutoring model:
- Explicit modeling and guided practice
- Daily checks for understanding
- Targeted work in ratios, proportional reasoning, decimal operations, and rational number fluency
- Real-time scaffolding and feedback
Instruction centered on shared mathematical concepts:
- Ratios and proportional relationships
- The number system (positive/negative numbers, operations, decimals)
- Coordinate reasoning and early algebraic thinking
- The instructional spine remained consistent across states. The results did too.
The Impact
Aldine ISD (TX)
- Average scores increased from 31% to 47%
- Students scoring above 60% grew from 4.8% to 38%
- +33 point growth in decimal operations
- +24 point growth in proportional reasoning
- Multiple standards approached 67–76% mastery
NYCPS – Teachers College Community School (NY)
- Average scores increased from 36% to 65%
- Proficiency increased fivefold (12.5% → 62.5%)
- +55% growth in ratio reasoning
- +52% growth in unit rate concepts
- Final mastery levels reached 78–89% in key number system standards
Visalia USD (CA)
- Average scores increased from 38% to 52%
- Students meeting proficiency grew from 3 of 36 to 15 of 36
- +51% growth in rational number reasoning
- +35% growth in proportional relationships
- Strong gains across multiple number system standards (final scores 61–79%)
Across three states, students demonstrated consistent acceleration in:
- Ratio reasoning
- Proportional thinking
- Decimal and rational number operations
- Foundational algebra readiness
The Takeaway
When instructional design is structured, standards-aligned, and conceptually coherent, 6th grade math acceleration is replicable across districts, demographics, and state systems.