Forget “silver bullet” software: Tuscaloosa City Schools is proving that the secret to national math success is investing in people.
Superintendent Mike Daria recently joined the “DA Changemakers” podcast to detail how his district became one of only 108 nationwide recognized for significant math growth in a recent education scorecard. The transformation required a deliberate shift from isolated “pockets of excellence” to a unified, system-wide instructional framework.
The district’s journey began with its “Reading Before Third Grade” initiative. As literacy rates rose, Daria realized math instruction lacked a consistent expectation of excellence. By applying the same intentionality used for literacy, the district developed a numeracy plan that prioritized teacher support over chasing the latest fads.
“The answer was high-quality instruction with a teacher in the classroom,” Daria says. To achieve this, the district established a “coaching culture” by placing math coaches in every school. This move transitioned teachers from working in isolation to participating in job-embedded, collaborative professional development tailored to their specific classroom needs.
Daria also highlights the Alabama Numeracy Act as a catalyst for bigger change but emphasizes that principals are the key to success. The district invests heavily in its “Future Instructional Leaders Academy” and provides principals with specialized math training so they can provide expert feedback alongside coaches.
Data also plays a critical role, with common formative assessments guiding real-time adjustments in instruction. The district added roughly 165 hours of annual instruction through a reimagined summer learning program. This extra time has turned the “summer slide” into a learning accelerator, with many students returning in the fall more advanced than when they left in the spring.
By maintaining a consistent “compass” and focusing on the competence and confidence of its educators, Tuscaloosa City Schools offers a replicable model for districts across the country.
To hear the entire “DA Changemakers” podcast, listen to the episode below.
