Big Ideas Learning’s Math & YOU K-8 Curriculum Earns All-Green Ratings from EdReports

Erie, PA – (January 22, 2026) – Big Ideas Learning’s Math & YOU K-8 mathematics curriculum earns esteemed all-green ratings from EdReports, the nonprofit known for its independent, evidence-based reviews of instructional materials. This milestone for Big Ideas Learning reinforces the organization's commitment to delivering high-quality, research-grounded mathematics instructional programs. 

EdReports evaluates instructional materials across three key review gateways—Focus & Coherence, Rigor & Mathematical Practices, and Teacher & Student Supports—to ensure programs provide rigorous content, strong instructional support, and a cohesive learning experience. All-green ratings indicate that a curriculum meets expectations across all gateways, offering educators a comprehensive and trustworthy instructional resource. 

According to EdReports’ evaluation, “Multiple aspects of rigor are engaged simultaneously across the materials to develop students' mathematical understanding of individual lessons. Each lesson within the curriculum supports a variety of instructional approaches that incorporate conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application in a balanced way.” 

Dr. Courtney Nagle, Vice President of Teaching and Research at Big Ideas Learning, highlights the significance of this achievement, saying, “Receiving all-green ratings affirms the intentional design of Math & YOU and its ability to empower teachers and support meaningful learning for every student."  

Math & YOU K-8 is part of Big Ideas Learning’s broader Math & YOU K-12 suite, a curriculum designed to support deep conceptual understanding, encourage meaningful mathematical discourse, and help students build critical thinking skills.  

EdReports further highlighted, “By prioritizing conceptual understanding as the foundation for developing fluency and problem-solving skills, Math & YOU aligns with research-based best practices that promote coherent and connected learning. The program explains the reasoning behind its selected instructional strategies, illustrating how they enhance learning outcomes and support evidence-based teaching practices.” 

The program emphasizes real-world applications, authentic data, and mathematical tasks that foster connections and illuminate the "big ideas" of mathematics while incorporating key instructional features such as investigative activities, rich data connections, and problem-solving prompts that position students at the center of their learning. Features like Talk About It, Math Talk, and Data Talk provide opportunities for collaborative thinking and mathematical communication, empowering students to make connections, justify reasoning, and build a deep understanding of core mathematics concepts. 

Matthew Totzke, CEO of Big Ideas Learning, emphasizes the company’s commitment to educators, noting, “We’re committed to supporting educators with materials that not only meet rigorous academic standards but also inspire curiosity and support students’ confidence in mathematics. EdReports’ recognition affirms our mission to deliver a high-quality mathematical experience for every learner.” 

The all-green rating follows Big Ideas Learning’s recent success in California, where the California Math & YOU K-8 program was approved by the California State Board of Education in November 2025. This represents another major step in expanding high-quality mathematics instruction for students nationwide. 

School and district leaders can review the full EdReports evaluation of Math & YOU K-8 at https://edreports.org/reports/overview/math-you-2025.  

  
About Big Ideas Learning: 

Big Ideas Learning, a Larson Texts Company, founded in 2008 by Dr. Ron Larson—an award-winning and influential math textbook author—is at the forefront of educational publishing. With over 35 million copies of Larson’s titles sold in the U.S., his impact on math education is profound. Building on Dr. Larson’s legacy, which began with his first edition of Calculus in 1978, Big Ideas Learning publishes rigorous, relevant, and conceptually rich K-Higher Ed mathematics programs. Our vision is to shape a future where education transcends boundaries, curiosity is nurtured, and individuals are inspired to dig deeper. 

About Cengage School: 

Cengage School delivers high-quality instructional materials and innovative digital resources for K–12 educators and librarians, helping them engage learners and support academic success. 

Our Partnership: 

Big Ideas Learning in partnership with Cengage School offers a comprehensive portfolio of mathematics solutions from elementary through college-level courses, including Advanced Placement®, honors, and electives. Together, we support teachers, inspire students, and achieve better outcomes.