Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago

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The Toolkit to Support Evidence-Based Algebra Instruction in Middle and High School, a collection of professional development and implementation resources developed by the Regional Educational Laboratory Central through the Institute of Education Sciences, is designed to support algebra educators in implementing evidence-based recommendations described in the What Works Clearinghouse Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students practice guide. This video focuses on the first recommendation from the practice guide: use solved problems to engage students in analyzing algebraic reasoning and strategies. Compared to elementary math work like arithmetic, solving algebra problems often requires students to think more abstractly and to process multiple pieces of complex information simultaneously. Solved problems can minimize the burden of abstract reasoning by allowing students to see the problem and many solution steps at once—without executing each step—helping students learn more efficiently.