Analyzing Revised Mathematics Standards for Evidence of Learning Progressions and Trajectories

This document analysis study reports on whether there is evidence that learning trajectories or progressions were used during the development of mathematics standards revisions since the creation of the Common Core State Standards. In total, 52 mathematics standards revision documents that were adopted from 2010 to 2024 and 38 state department of education websites were analyzed. The results of this study determined that 33 individual states provided information on learning progressions or trajectories within revised states or state department of education websites; however, there were varying levels of incorporation of learning progressions or trajectories. These findings have lasting impacts on the mathematics students are expected to know and be able to do as well as the coherence teachers are expected to follow while teaching various mathematics topics. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.