About Us

In 2005, members of the UCLA Math Content Programs for Teachers and Students (MCPT), a math education group in the UCLA Department of Mathematics, began development of an algebra readiness program for students who were struggling to prepare for algebra. Through this work, a program called Introduction to Algebra was created.  The program met rigorous adoption criteria and was approved by the California Board of Education in November 2007 for use in California schools. Currently, the program is being used in more than sixty school districts. Introduction to Algebra is one of the more widely used algebra readiness programs in California. 

Because UCLA is not set up to handle the complexity of tasks associated with publishing and servicing a state-adopted math program, the MCPT authors started a non-profit organization (the Center for Mathematics and Teaching, incorporated March 2007) to handle the day-to-day operations of publication. From March 2007 - June 2010, CMAT’s tight relationship with the university made it possible for CMAT to publish Introduction to Algebra and provide training to its teachers, and for MCPT to offer programs using CMAT subsidies.  During that time, CMAT generated revenue from the book, and paid the university approximately $1,276,000. This money was used for various mathematics education programs. 

In 2010, the UCLA Mathematics Department and CMAT agreed that CMAT was ready to continue its work independent of the university.  As a result, on July 1, 2010, CMAT declared its independence from UCLA, and is now operating as a fully independent 501(c)3 charity