All of the materials address the skills of problem solving, communication and reasoning. Each of the four interactive software components provides mathematical resources and data for analysis for the group-based projects. Program Quality Reviewers found that MMAP's goals are aligned with NCTM standards. The goals emphasize depth of understanding, reasoning, communication, problem solving, and connections through the application of mathematics skills, knowledge and understandings. The units, enhanced by the use of computers, are centered around proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking, but patterns, functions, algebraic concepts, computation and estimation are all included as important areas.
Students progress from sixth through eighth grade along a number of mathematical dimensions.
Supplemental mathematics activities are provided to help students master necessary skills. Each of the units involves problem exploration using a range of graphical, numerical, and algebraic representations. The instructional design of the program is creative, flexible, appealing, and motivating both to students and teachers. The selection of problems and the inclusion of extension and investigation modules are helpful, and are appropriate and challenging mathematics for middle school students. Scenarios in which students learn in context provide purpose for learning rigorous mathematics and are one of the program's strengths.