How Math-U-See Aligns with Texas Math Standards (TEKS)
Purpose
Who is This For?
This resource is for Texas families, homeschool instructors, co-ops, and schools who want to understand how Math-U-See aligns with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) from Kindergarten through high school. It is helpful when alignment information is needed for planning, placement, documentation, or conversations with schools or districts.
In addition to planning and placement, families may also be reviewing alignment information in connection with new state education programs.
Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFAs) are a new Education Savings Account (ESA) program established by Texas Senate Bill 2 in 2025 for rollout in the 2026–2027 school year. The program allocates state funding via Odyssey to eligible families to help cover approved educational expenses, such as instructional materials, and other learning resources.
As families explore TEFAs, questions can arise about curriculum alignment, documentation, and whether instructional materials support Texas standards. This TEKS-to–Math-U-See resource is designed to help families, instructors, and schools understand how Math-U-See aligns with Texas math standards, which may be useful when planning instruction, selecting materials, or maintaining records for educational use.
Because TEFA guidelines and eligibility details may continue to change, families should refer to official Texas Education Agency resources or program administrators for the most current information about approved expenses and requirements.
What This Resource Helps Explain
Texas math standards are organized differently between the elementary through high school levels. Because of this, alignment does not look the same across all grades, especially within a mastery-based program like Math-U-See.
This resource explains:
- How TEKS alignment works within Math-U-See’s mastery-based structure
- Kindergarten through Grade 8 standards
- Why Texas high school math is course-based rather than grade-based
- Which Math-U-See levels align with core Texas high school math credit courses
The goal of this information is to provide clear guidance that helps readers understand alignment without needing to interpret state policy documents on their own. It is intended to serve as a reference tool for locating supporting resources and making informed decisions about placement and planning.
Kindergarten through Grade 8: Grade-Based Alignment
From Kindergarten through Grade 8, Texas math standards are tied to specific grade levels. Most students are expected to work through the same set of grade-level expectations during each school year.
Math-U-See supports these standards through a mastery-based progression rather than a one-to-one grade sequence. Students move forward as they master skills, which means a single Math-U-See level may address standards from multiple grades or reinforce skills over time.
Because of this structure, alignment is best understood by looking at which Math-U-See levels and lessons address each standard, rather than matching one Math-U-See level to one grade.
Downloadable TEKS-to-Math-U-See alignment resources for Kindergarten through Grade 8 are available for:
- TEKS Kindergarten to Math-U-See (PDF)
- TEKS Grade 1 to Math-U-See (PDF)
- TEKS Grade 2 to Math-U-See (PDF)
- TEKS Grade 3 to Math-U-See (PDF)
- TEKS Grade 4 to Math-U-See (PDF)
- TEKS Grade 5 to Math-U-See (PDF)
- TEKS Grade 6 to Math-U-See (PDF)
- TEKS Grade 7 to Math-U-See (PDF)
- TEKS Grade 8 to Math-U-See (PDF)
These resources can be used to verify alignment, support planning, or assist with documentation needs.
Grades 9 through 12: Course-Based Alignment
In Texas, high school mathematics is course-based and credit-driven, not grade-based. Students earn graduation credit by completing specific math courses, and districts may place students into those courses based on readiness, pacing, placement, or support needs.
Texas does not require a specific math course to be taken in a specific high school grade. As a result, students may take Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other math courses in different grades depending on their individual learning path.
The Texas Administrative Code (Chapter 111 – Mathematics) defines separate high school math courses, each with its own set of TEKS, including:
- §111.39. Algebra I, Adopted 2012 (One Credit).
- §111.40. Algebra II, Adopted 2012 (One-Half to One Credit).
- §111.41. Geometry, Adopted 2012 (One Credit).
- §111.42. Precalculus, Adopted 2012 (One-Half to One Credit).
Downloadable TEKS-to-Math-U-See alignment resources for high school are available for:
- TEKS Algebra I to Math-U-See (with Legacy Edition) (PDF)
- TEKS Algebra I to Math-U-See (with Principles of Secondary Mathematics) (PDF)
- TEKS Geometry to Math-U-See (PDF)
- TEKS Algebra II to Math-U-See (PDF)
- TEKS Precalculus to Math-U-See (PDF)
Additional Texas High School Mathematics Courses
Texas offers additional high school mathematics courses beyond Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus. These courses vary by district and may be offered as electives or alternative pathways. Math-U-See’s high school program is designed to align most directly with the core Texas mathematics credit courses listed above.
Course Placement and Grade-Level Flexibility
Because Texas high school math is course-based and credit-driven, students may take Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other math courses in different grades depending on readiness, pacing, placement, or support needs. As explained in the Texas Mathematics Graduation Requirements and FAQs, Texas does not require a single math course to be taken at a specific high school grade level, allowing flexibility to meet individual student needs.
Using TEKS Alignment as a Planning Tool
TEKS alignment is best used as a reference tool, not a pacing checklist.
Because Math-U-See is mastery-based:
- Standards may be introduced, reinforced, or mastered at different points than in a traditional grade-level sequence
- Skills are built over time rather than being confined to a single lesson or unit
- Strong conceptual understanding supports long-term success in advanced math
Alignment resources can help families and educators understand how Math-U-See supports Texas standards while allowing flexibility for individual learning needs.
Other State Standards Guidance
Families and instructors often ask whether Math-U-See “follows” state standards, especially when documentation or placement decisions are required. This article focuses specifically on how Math-U-See aligns with Texas math standards (TEKS) and how to interpret that alignment within a mastery-based program.
If you are looking for a broader explanation of how Demme Learning approaches state standards across multiple states, you may also find this related article helpful: