ABSTRACT
This chapter is devoted to the second of the three major themes discovered at all nine participating schools: Challenging mathematical content and high-level instruction were of great importance at all of these schools. It explores the five areas related to this theme: (a) Problem solving is prioritized, (b) At middle schools, students completed the equivalent of algebra I by eighth grade, (c) Students communicate mathematically and engage in inquiry, (d) Mathematics curriculum is a work in progress, (e) Teachers prepare students to be successful on standardized tests, but they teach beyond the test.
