BW Walch and AMSTI Renew Partnership to Advance Math Achievement Across Alabama

Extension builds on proven success of OGAP professional learning, helping more teachers close math learning gaps statewide

PORTLAND, Maine, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BW Walch today announced an extended partnership with the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) to continue scaling implementation of the Ongoing Assessment Project (OGAP) professional learning program across Alabama schools. The multi-year extension reinforces both organizations' shared commitment to empowering educators with the tools, resources, and research-based practices that help more students succeed in mathematics.

Since the partnership began, OGAP's systematic, research-grounded professional learning has become a cornerstone of Alabama's K–8 math improvement strategy. Through AMSTI, thousands of Alabama teachers have been trained to use OGAP's diagnostic frameworks and progressions—helping them identify student misconceptions early and respond with targeted instruction.

Recent statewide data show encouraging progress. Alabama's math scores, which declined sharply during the pandemic, are now recovering faster than those in nearly every other state. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress and the Opportunity Project's Recovery Explorer, Alabama's fourth- and eighth-grade math proficiency rates have climbed steadily since 2022, with particularly strong gains in districts where AMSTI and OGAP have been implemented.

"This partnership with AMSTI has demonstrated what's possible when teachers are not only supported but empowered with evidence-based professional learning that deepens their understanding of how students learn math," said Al Noyes, CEO of BW Walch. "OGAP enables educators to look beyond right or wrong answers—to see inside students' reasoning, address misconceptions, and help every learner build lasting mathematical understanding. We're proud to extend this collaboration and continue supporting Alabama's math recovery."

Developed through National Science Foundation research, OGAP equips teachers with both the pedagogical and content expertise to transform instruction. Its frameworks and learning progressions provide a common language across grade levels and curricula, supporting consistent, research-based math instruction that helps students build deeper understanding and achieve stronger learning outcomes nationwide.

Under the renewed partnership, BW Walch and AMSTI will expand professional learning opportunities for educators, deepen support for district-level implementation, and introduce new online tools to enhance ongoing coaching and collaboration.

For more information on OGAP professional learning, visit www.ogapmathllc.com

About OGAP
The Ongoing Assessment Project (OGAP) is a systematic and intentional professional learning program that equips teachers with expertise in both math content and pedagogy. By helping educators use student work as evidence to diagnose misconceptions and guide instruction, OGAP empowers schools to strengthen reasoning and accelerate learning across additive, multiplicative, fractional, and proportional reasoning. OGAP has earned an ESSA Tier I: Strong Evidence rating and is recognized nationally for improving mathematics achievement. For more information on OGAP professional learning, visit www.ogapmathllc.com

About BW Walch
BW Walch is a leading provider of innovative math solutions, including OGAP professional learning and aligned, customized math curriculums, that empower teachers and students to achieve success. With a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and deep expertise in mathematics education, BW Walch supports schools and districts nationwide in building sustainable improvement in teaching and learning. For more information go to https://bwwalch.com/ or contact us at [email protected].

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SOURCE BW Walch