The Talent Development Middle School Mathematics core curriculum, the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project, incorporates both the best practices from around the world and recent understandings of how students learn mathematics in a teacher friendly package. It is a balanced curriculum which blends the acquisition of essential and core mathematical knowledge with frequent and engaging real world applications and uses of mathematics. These applications make mathematics interesting and exciting to both students and teachers. A key development principle is the two-five rule which states that anything students are expected to master at a given point should be introduced 2 years prior and explored in at least five different contexts prior to mastery. The curriculum also makes use of structured peer assistance .
Students often work with a partner to explore and solve challenging problems.
This greatly increases the amount of time students are actively engaged with mathematics during a typical class period. One unique feature is the emphasis the program places on developing students ability to read, interpret, and verbalize mathematical terms and ideas . This is a critical life skill often absent in mathematics curriculums. Students needing extra help receive an accelerated learning class daily, called Computer and Team Assisted Mathematics Acceleration , in addition to their regular math class. Because students only go to this class for one quarter of the year, large number of students in a school can be served each year.