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Solving for X: Expert highlights importance of algebra in middle and high school

University of Delaware associate professor partners with the University of Pennsylvania and the School District of Philadelphia to improve algebra teaching.

Feb 27, 2026

2 min

Math educators agree that Algebra is a critical course for middle and high schoolers, often serving as a gateway to more advanced math courses and influencing students’ academic trajectories in STEM pathways. Yet, many students struggle in this important course.


Since May 2025, University of Delaware Associate Professor Erica Litke has partnered with the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and the School District of Philadelphia in a $5 million, three-year initiative to improve algebra teaching in the district. The project offers algebra teachers professional development through a year-long fellowship.


With expertise in improving instructional quality in math and supporting algebra teaching, Litke leads the design and delivery of the professional development with Penn GSE experts.


Close to 80 teachers participated in the first cohort of the fellowship, which includes a four-day summer institute.


Litke’s research in math education has connected instructional quality to broader policy issues in education and focused on teacher knowledge and professional development.


“The focus on algebra content and key features of algebra teaching that support students in learning algebra content helps teachers translate their learning from the fellowship directly into their teaching practice,” said Litke. “Being able to translate my research findings into usable knowledge for teachers and contribute to the design of this kind of comprehensive professional learning has been really exciting.”


Litke can speak to her role in the Algebra Fellowship project, the importance of Algebra 1 in the trajectory of students’ STEM education and strategies for supporting teaching learning at the school and district levels.


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ABOUT ERICA LITKE


Erica Litke is an associate professor specializing in mathematics education in the School of Education at the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on understanding and improving instructional quality in mathematics for students in the elementary and secondary grades. Her research has described and analyzed instructional practice in mathematics using observation instruments, connected instructional quality in mathematics to broader policy-related issues in education, and focused on teacher knowledge and professional development.


She has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily Pennsylvanian and other publications. To speak with Litke or to learn more, email mediarelations@udel.edu.


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