In recent years, in response to the epidemic, online learning has become popular. More and more schools, whether they are national high schools or universities, are using online classes.

We found that everyone is not so familiar with an online teaching platform, that is EngageNY. So, what exactly is EngageNY (aka Eureka Math)?

EngageNY is an online education platform used by Taipei American School (TAS) and developed by the New York State Department of Education. Its main goal is to provide a range of free and open access educational resources (OER) covering different subjects and grade levels. Its ultimate goal is to improve the effectiveness and quality of the educational process. This article will provide a brief introduction to EngageNY and explain the benefits it brings.

 

➤What is EngageNY?

Aspect	Description
Website name	EngageNY
Purpose	In order to improve the quality of K-12 mathematics and English teaching and student learning efficiency in New York State.
Developer	New York Department of Education
calibration	Calibrating Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
suject	Mathematics and English
Applicable grade	Kindergarten to high school (grade 12)
course	It includes teaching progress, teaching materials, practice questions, classroom tests and questions of various difficulty levels.
Teaching focus	It focuses on problem solving and critical thinking, and also hopes that students will have a deeper understanding of the course so that it can be applied in daily life.
Spiral Tutorial	Use a “spiral” approach, revisiting and building on topics for reinforcement.
professional development	Provide teacher training and development resources
openness	All resources have been uploaded to the online platform, and anyone can access the teaching materials through the Internet.
website users	in New York and other states. TAS in Taiwan also uses EngageNY.

 

➤EngageNY detailed description

Course development	EngageNY's curriculum materials are designed by a team of educators and education experts to align with the CCSS (Common Core State Standards), the official state standards. These materials are created to provide teachers and students with a clear and structured path to academic success. (Note: CCSS “Common Core State Standards”)
Applicable grade	EngageNY provides mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) materials for kindergarten through 12th grade. The level of difficulty of all courses and topics is appropriately designed to correspond to each grade level.
Textbook	Because EngageNY is a free online education platform, everyone can access its teaching materials, including worksheets, textbooks, practice tests, and video lectures. Teachers often use these materials as class assignments or tests.
spiral curriculum	The curriculum follows a "spiral" approach, with topics revisited and expanded on in subsequent grades. This enables students to review previously taught units, reinforcing concepts in their memory.
Used by states/countries	Although originally developed for New York State, EngageNY has been widely adopted or adapted by educators in other states and even around the world. Its high-quality, standards-compliant teaching materials are recognized globally.

 

➤Taipei American School (TAS) and EngageNY
As highlighted in the introductory paragraph, Taipei American School (TAS) is the only educational institution in Taiwan to incorporate EngageNY (also known as Eureka Math) into its mathematics curriculum. Elementary students in grades 1 through 5 have the unique opportunity to benefit from EngageNY's teaching materials.

TAS follows the K-5 mathematics standards rooted in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and is designed to ensure excellence in mathematics education. TAS's elementary curriculum not only prepares students for success at TAS, but also provides a strong foundation in middle school mathematics. Promote deep understanding, mathematical proficiency, and strong problem-solving skills through TAS's mastery-based curriculum, which focuses on key topics at each level. Providing access to the Common Core Standards and Benchmarks, which set a minimum requirement rather than a limit, encourage advanced exploration by high-achieving students.

Many people are curious why Taipei American School trusts EngageNY so much? We have compiled for you the four key reasons why TAS trusts EngageNY.

 

➤What’s so good about EngageNY?
No permission restrictions:
Originally developed to improve the educational environment in New York State, EngageNY has gained recognition and acceptance in other states and even internationally. Through its open website, educators and students can easily access its resources when needed. Its accessibility and free nature have had a positive impact on education worldwide.

Usability:
This flexibility comes from its web-based accessibility, allowing students, teachers, and educators to access teaching materials without geographic or time constraints. Users can easily take advantage of educational resources to maximize their learning or teaching experience to meet their unique needs and preferences. Users love EngageNY's adaptability and ease of use, allowing them to get the most out of their educational materials, no matter where they are, anytime.

Spiral Tutorial:
An important benefit of leveraging resources from EngageNY is its structured "spiral" course design. This design facilitates a systematic review of previously covered concepts, thereby strengthening students' understanding of a particular topic and solidifying their basic understanding before moving on to more advanced material. In addition, the spiral curriculum approach improves students' ability to apply learned knowledge to real-world situations, thereby enhancing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Calibration/Quality Assurance:
EngageNY provides users with the flexibility to access educational resources without geographic or time constraints. This adaptability meets the preferences and needs of users and maximizes the utilization value of resources. In addition to flexibility, EngageNY is characterized by its commitment to academic rigor, emphasizing deep conceptual understanding to prepare students for academic and career success.

 

➤But EngageNY also comes with disadvantages…
Lack of course flexibility:
EngageNY is known for its structured and consistent nature, which some teachers or students feel may limit the ability to tailor the curriculum to students' unique needs and interests, raising questions about how to tailor the curriculum to specific classroom dynamics and student characteristics. Concerns about abstaining from curricula. Additionally, implementing a new curriculum like EngageNY may encounter resistance from various stakeholders, including teachers, students, and parents. Individuals who are accustomed to different teaching methods and materials may feel uncomfortable with the entire topic being taught, causing challenges in course acceptance.

Standardized testing:
Some concerns have been raised about EngageNY's overemphasis on test preparation and alignment with standardized assessments. Students and parents worry that this focus may inadvertently lead to a narrow approach to education that prioritizes test-taking strategies rather than developing a holistic and deep understanding of the subject. The alignment of the curriculum with test results raises questions about its impact on students’ overall learning experience.

Course Difficulty:
Many Asian parents view U.S. math education as relatively simple and believe it places less emphasis on basic skills and advanced problem-solving. This perception often stems from different cultural expectations, with high-stakes exams and academic competition prevalent in many Asian countries. Therefore, these parents seek additional mathematics enrichment courses, such as private tutoring, to ensure that their children receive a more challenging mathematics education. However, it is important to realize that education systems differ and perceptions of "easy" or "challenging" are subjective and context-specific.

 

➤Engage with AEI!
Because EngageNY's curriculum closely follows the CCSS, it follows a strict and tightly structured schedule. In contrast, at AEI, our exclusively organized resources prioritize interactivity and adaptability. AEI provides learning goals for a variety of programs and for each grade level to provide parents with a clearer understanding of their child's progress.In addition, AEI has designed a customized curriculum for students who are already comfortable with their grade level and are ready to take on more difficult material. This addresses the lack of flexibility often associated with EngageNY programs, ensuring that each student receives an education tailored to their abilities. In addition, AEI reduced the number of standardized tests within grade levels, opting for a more practice-focused approach. This approach enables students to thoroughly grasp concepts and apply them effectively to real-life situations.

AEI has recognized the limitations of EngageNY as a learning tool and developed a modified solution to meet the needs of students and parents.

and AEI Course Advisor Contact, learn more about your goals and the best way to prepare for your test!