PSJA ISD Awarded Strong Foundations Grant to Revolutionize Math Instruction from Elementary to Secondary Schools

PHARR - The Texas Education Agency has awarded Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) the Strong Foundations Grant, aimed at improving math instruction through a well-structured, research-based framework. This funding will support the district’s efforts to align its math curriculum across all grade levels, ensuring students can smoothly transition from elementary to middle and high school. 

According to the Texas Education Agency, The Strong Foundations Grant Program (Texas Education Code, 29.0881) was established through House Bill 4545, 87th Texas Legislature, 2021, and offers K–5 Math and Literacy, comprehensive tier-one instructional supports, including curriculum, instructional leadership, and planning supports.  

“We’re excited to adopt a math curriculum that aligns with state guidelines and provides teachers with high-quality materials,” said PSJA Executive Officer for Elementary Schools Dr. Susana Arredondo. “Region One Education Service Center will also assist PSJA ISD with training and support for teachers during the implementation of the Eureka Math, a widely used program across Texas.” 

Eureka Math aligns with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards, covering the math concepts students need to learn at each grade level. However, it introduces these concepts in a more engaging way, transforming math from a focus of memorization to a subject students can enjoy. Teachers have noticed that this approach helps students see math as interesting rather than just memorizing steps to solve a problem. 

The new curriculum emphasizes daily proficiency exercises and conceptual learning instead of the memorization of content. Students engage in hands-on activities to truly understand the concepts. For example, multiplication is no longer just numbers on a page, it is taught with real-life examples, like multiplying apples in bags, to make math meaningful. 

This hands-on learning method begins in kindergarten and continues through middle school. It emphasizes practicing key math skills using high-quality instructional materials that teachers use in the classroom to build a strong foundation. 

Drs. Reed & Mock Elementary Kindergarten teacher Mayra Dominguez shared how this approach changes the way students learn. “Growing up, my mother made me memorize multiplication tables. I knew two times two was four, but I didn’t understand why,” she explained. “Now, we teach students the reason behind it, for example understanding that 2 bags with 2 apples each equals 4 apples makes the math make sense to them.”  

Carnegie Learning is the math curriculum used in middle schools, focusing on conceptual understanding, much like Eureka Math does in elementary schools. Students can then apply these concepts to real-life situations. For example, a word problem about cutting a board into two pieces, with one piece being 6 feet longer than the other, becomes an algebra problem to solve.   

"Students are experiencing this approach for the first time, which gives them a chance to become critical thinkers and problem solvers," said Audie Murphy Middle School Principal Lydia Trevino. "This new curriculum makes math fun and engaging, and students learn from each other." 

At PSJA ISD, the Strong Foundations Grant, helps equip teachers with the tools and support they need to foster a deeper understanding of math concepts, benefiting students from kindergarten through high school. With this support, the district is committed to raising math proficiency and preparing students for future academic and career success. 

“This grant empowers us to transform the way our students approach math, turning it from a subject they memorize to one they truly understand and enjoy,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias. “By investing in our educators and aligning our curriculum, we are building a foundation that ensures every student is prepared for the next steps in their academic journey and, ultimately, for success in life.” 

PSJA ISD serves over 30,000 students from preschool through post-secondary education, reflecting the district's dedication to supporting student success. Parents interested in enrolling their children can find more information at www.psjaisd.us/whypsja.  

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