20+ years of research. 14,000+ teachers trained. The 6 Predictors of Math Success show exactly what drives student achievement—and how to teach to it.
Traditional math education research tells you what works—but not how to make it work in your classroom.
You've seen the headlines: "Manipulatives improve understanding." "Conceptual instruction beats procedural." Great. Now what?
DMTI is different. Our research identifies the specific, observable predictors of math success—and gives you the tools to teach to them.
Five research-based components that transform math instruction from procedural memorization to durable conceptual understanding.
Value and listen to student thinking. When students share their reasoning—even if incorrect—you uncover their understanding and can guide them forward.
In Practice: "Tell me more about how you got that" instead of "That's wrong"
Students need both physical and visual models to build understanding. DMTI uses only four core visual models across all topics:
Number Line
Counting, ordering, fractions
Bar Model
Part-whole, comparison
Area Model
Multiplication, fractions, algebra
Ratio Table
Proportional reasoning
Students must see the how and why before algorithms. Connect to prior knowledge, then build procedures on understanding—not the other way around.
Progression: Enactive (physical) → Iconic (visual) → Symbolic (abstract)
Six foundational words empower students to describe thinking across all math topics (K-12):
Use conceptual understanding, models, and structural language to resolve misconceptions. Celebrate students sharing thinking—even when incorrect—because that's where real learning happens.
Mindset: "Mistakes reveal thinking we can work with"
Longitudinal research identifying the specific cognitive and instructional factors that predict mathematics achievement from elementary through middle school.
Key Finding: These 6 predictors account for 5 of variance in math achievement.
Studies showing that teachers trained in DMTI principles show significant gains in pedagogical content knowledge and instructional quality.
Key Finding: 14,000+ teachers trained with sustained implementation support.
District-level data showing student achievement gains in DMTI implementation schools, including standardized test scores and conceptual understanding measures.
Key Finding: Schools show 2-3x typical growth in conceptual understanding.
Research on how students learn mathematics, including work on conceptual vs. procedural knowledge, multiple representations, and mathematical discourse.
Key Finding: Conceptual understanding must precede procedural fluency for durable learning.
Deep dives into math education research, DMT Framework implementation, and real classroom insights from our team and partner districts.
Hosted at mathsuccess.dmtinstitute.com
The DMT Framework isn't just theory—they're the foundation of every DMTI lesson, assessment, and professional development session.
20+
Years of Research
14,000+
Teachers Trained
5
Core Components