From Falling Behind to Accelerated Success:
How Intensification Is Transforming Math Classrooms
Executive Summary
School and district leaders across the country face an urgent and systemic challenge: how to support middle and high school students who are two to four years behind in Algebra I or Integrated Mathematics I to succeed in these courses. Traditional remediation strategies have failed to close these gaps at scale, often slowing students down instead of lifting them up.
Intensification offers a high-leverage alternative: a research-based approach that accelerates learning, addresses unfinished learning just-in-time, and fosters deeper engagement, all within a single academic year. Co-developed with the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin and the Learning Sciences Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Chicago, this model is rapidly reshaping student achievement trajectories and enhancing classroom culture across the country.
Why This Matters
“When kids fall behind, well-meaning educators often respond by slowing them down. But it is very hard to get students caught up this way. Intensification calls for a different approach: intensify the teaching of the content and also — for students who are behind — intensify the social supports.”
Dr. Uri Treisman, Founder, Charles A. Dana Center
The benefits of intensification for districts include:
- Boost grade-level mastery and on-time graduation
- Reduce the need for costly course retakes and interventions
- Support math equity and student belonging
- Improve outcomes in Algebra I, a gateway course for college and career readiness
- Align with state standards, ESSA goals, and MTSS/RTI frameworks
What Is Intensification?
Intensification is not remediation. It’s a research-driven model designed to support students in accessing rigorous, grade-level content while simultaneously repairing learning gaps. Developed by national experts and grounded in proven practices, the goal is to catch students up in one year(both academically and emotionally), while building the skills and confidence they need to succeed long-term.
This approach is embedded in Agile Mind’s Intensified Algebra I and Intensified Mathematics I curriculum and reflects a broader category of math intensification strategies that focus on accelerated learning in math.
Core Principles of the Intensification Model
🔄 Just-in-Time Instruction
Rather than reviewing prior grade content “just in case” it might be needed, intensification provides just-in-time support for foundational knowledge to engage with grade-level standards, right when students need it.
⏱️ Using Additional Time to Accelerate, Not Repeat
Extra instructional time is strategically used to scaffold, visualize, and apply mathematical concepts. This drives cognitive engagement and student agency.
🧠 Conceptual Understanding Over Drill
Instead of focusing on repetition, intensification builds strategic competence and mathematical reasoning, helping students connect ideas and apply them in problem-solving scenarios.
💬 Social-Emotional Support and Academic Identity
Intensification explicitly supports students’ sense of belonging, motivation, and resilience by equipping them with the tools to persist through challenges and embrace mathematics as something they can do.
Evidence of Impact
“Our math team looked at student work and data on progress and saw amazing learning. More students are talking about math than ever. There’s less teacher talk, more student talk. Students are discussing math, using visuals, and problem-solving together. It’s a phenomenal shift.”
Curriculum Director, San Lorenzo Valley, CA
Where Intensification is implemented, leaders are seeing:
- Significant gains in Algebra I and Integrated Math I proficiency
- Reduced course retake and failure rates
- Improved engagement and discourse across classrooms
- Strengthened teacher practice and professional growth
These results highlight the power of well-designed math intensification strategies to change trajectories—not just for students, but for entire school systems.
What’s Available for Districts
Agile Mind’s intensification programs provide a turnkey solution, including:
- Comprehensive curriculum aligned to standards
- Daily lesson planning and professional support for teachers
- Integrated tools for formative assessment and real-time feedback
- Embedded strategies for social and emotional development and a growth mindset
These programs are designed for feasibility at scale by working within master schedules and with diverse teaching teams to reach the students who need it most.
Rethink Remediation
Districts across the country are rethinking remediation and are achieving better results. Now is the time to invest in Intensification strategies that accelerate learning, build student confidence, and align with your broader strategic goals.
Let’s move forward:
✅ Contact us for an implementation overview or district strategy session
✅ Request case studies or data from similar districts
✅ Share this information with your board, school leadership teams, or math departments
