(1) The desire to achieve educational excellence is the driving force behind the Texas essential knowledge and skills for mathematics, guided by the college and career readiness standards. By embedding statistics, probability, and finance, while focusing on computational thinking, mathematical fluency, and solid understanding, Texas will lead the way in mathematics education and prepare all Texas students for the challenges they will face in the 21st century.
(2) The process standards describe ways in which students are expected to engage in the content. The placement of the process standards at the beginning of the knowledge and skills listed for each grade and course is intentional. The process standards weave the other knowledge and skills together so that students may be successful problem solvers and use mathematics efficiently and effectively in daily life. The process standards are integrated at every grade level and course. When possible, students will apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace. Students will use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution. Students will select appropriate tools such as real objects, manipulatives, algorithms, paper and pencil, and technology and techniques such as mental math, estimation, number sense, and generalization and abstraction to solve problems. Students will effectively communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations such as symbols, diagrams, graphs, computer programs, and language. Students will use mathematical relationships to generate solutions and make connections and predictions. Students will analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas. Students will display, explain, or justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.
(3) For students to become fluent in mathematics, students must develop a robust sense of number. The National Research Council’s report, “Adding It Up,” defines procedural fluency as “skill in carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately.” As students develop procedural fluency, they must also realize that true problem solving may take time, effort, and perseverance. Students in Grade 4 are expected to perform their work without the use of calculators.
(4) The primary focal areas in Grade 4 are use of operations, fractions, and decimals and describing and analyzing geometry and measurement. These focal areas are supported throughout the mathematical strands of number and operations, algebraic reasoning, geometry and measurement, and data analysis. In Grades 3-5, the number set is limited to positive rational numbers. In number and operations, students will focus on applying place value and representing points on a number line that correspond to a given fraction or terminating decimal. In algebraic reasoning, students will represent and solve multi-step problems involving the four operations with whole numbers with expressions and equations and generate and analyze patterns. In geometry and measurement, students will classify two-dimensional figures, measure angles, and convert units of measure. In data analysis, students will represent and interpret data.
(5) Statements that contain the word “including” reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase “such as” are intended as possible illustrative examples.
The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to represent, compare, and order whole numbers and decimals and understand relationships related to place value. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to represent and generate fractions to solve problems. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to develop and use strategies and methods for whole number computations and decimal sums and differences in order to solve problems with efficiency and accuracy. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to develop concepts of expressions and equations. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to analyze geometric attributes in order to develop generalizations about their properties. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to solve problems involving angles less than or equal to 180 degrees. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to select appropriate customary and metric units, strategies, and tools to solve problems involving measurement. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to solve problems by collecting, organizing, displaying, and interpreting data. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to manage one’s financial resources effectively for lifetime financial security. The student is expected to:
DreamBox Math for Texas isn’t just adaptive—it’s designed for the unique needs of Texas classrooms. With TEKS-aligned personalized instruction, emergent bilingual support, and tools that empower teachers, DreamBox helps districts deliver equitable, high-impact math instruction at scale.
Superintendent, Lockhart ISD
“DreamBox has had a substantial impact on our district. We see rapid growth in our student’s performance on our state assessments. When our students and teachers are engaging with DreamBox at the recommended levels, they blow it out of the water in their state assessments.”
Teacher, San Marcos ISD
“What I think separates DreamBox from other programs is that DreamBox allows me to leverage MAP data and I am able to give students more precise and specific lessons that they need. I also really like DreamBox because it’s very TEKS-specific and that’s something that we always look for, for the students master the standards. I have begun seeing student math growth gains since using DreamBox. I’ve also sees that their mental math has gotten a lot better and they’re using manipulatives.“
3rd Grade Bilingual Teacher, L.F. Smith Elementary, Pasadena ISD
“What I like about DreamBox is that the kids can log in and start working at their level. Whether they come to class with gaps in their math learning or they have a solid foundation, DreamBox meets them where they are and allows them to build their skills from there.”
Elementary Math Coordinator, Allen ISD
“We have amazing teachers that want to do the best they can for kids, and they grabbed hold knowing DreamBox is a powerful tool that can support them in the classroom, whether in-person or remote. [DreamBox is] like having another teacher in the classroom.”
Kindergarten Teacher, Gardens Elementary, Pasadena ISD
“I love that they’re making the connection between the manipulatives they’re seeing in DreamBox and what we’re doing physically in the classroom. They’re connecting the virtual with the hands-on—and it’s wonderful.”