Results
Hundreds of schools across the country and internationally are accelerating learning with Thinking Maps. In fact, an independent third-party study showed that schools using Thinking Maps are roughly twice as likely to exceed average growth rates for their district. And when you look at the individual results of our users, the data is clear: schools who use Thinking Maps with fidelity improve learning outcomes.
The Research
Brain-Based Strategies. Implementation Excellence. Proven Results.
In 2019, a third-party correlational study compared student achievement results for elementary and middle schools using Thinking Maps to district averages. The results were meaningful and significant and show that schools using Thinking Maps were roughly 2 times more likely to surpass average growth rates for their districts than schools not using Thinking Maps. Meets ESSA standards for Tier 2 Research.
- Schools using Thinking Maps were 2.0x more likely to surpass average district growth rates in Reading.
- Schools using Thinking Maps were 2.7x more likely to surpass average district growth rates in Math.
Read The Results
Case Studies
Maricopa Unified School District
Arizona
At Maricopa Unified School District, Thinking Maps are embedded in everything they do, from the classroom to the district offices. A strategic district-wide approach to implementation of Thinking Maps and Write from the Beginning…and Beyond has created sustainable transformation at the school and district level.
Thinking Maps are really part of our whole culture, from the classroom to meetings at the district office. Our teachers and our kids use them every day, so the thinking strategies just become natural.
Stephanie Rhinehart, Principal, Santa Cruz Elementary
Read The StoryCypress Elementary
Florida
At Cypress Elementary School, students with diverse backgrounds and learning needs are maximizing their potential with Thinking Maps. This “visual language for learning” allows every student to be successful and make progress toward learning standards. Students are now more confident, engaged, and empowered to take ownership of their own learning.
Thinking Maps are a great tool for collaboration, because they allow everyone to see your thinking at a glance. It’s just an easier way to organize information.
Vanessa Schnur, Principal
Read The StoryLexington School for the Deaf
New York
For students at Lexington School for the Deaf, Thinking Maps is a shared visual language that helps all students participate and succeed, regardless of their previous language experiences.
I’ve noticed a huge change in how our students talk about their learning using Thinking Maps. Even at the preschool level, they are able to explain their thinking and why they are using a particular Map. We didn’t see those kinds of conversations...
Jane Moran, Executive Director
Read The StoryDesert Rose Elementary
California
At Desert Rose Elementary, Thinking Maps, Path to Proficiency, and Write from the Beginning…and Beyond have transformed teaching and learning and united the staff around student achievement.
Writing is where a lot of EL students struggle most. Path to Proficiency and Write from the Beginning have given us strategies that are very easy to integrate in both languages. It’s provided an opportunity to really hone writing skills and help ou...
Melanie Pagliaro, Principal
Read The StoryPace Brantley Preparatory
Florida
Students come to Pace Brantley Preparatory with all kinds of learning needs. Thinking Maps gives teachers the tools they need to help every student succeed. Consistent use of Thinking Maps across grade levels and content areas has reduced anxiety for students and given them confidence in their abilities to tackle grade-level content and standards.
One of the things I loved about the Thinking Maps training is that you can literally get training one day and implement it in the classroom the next. That’s huge.
Jennifer Foor, Principal
Read The StoryCherry Creek School District
Colorado
Thinking Maps and Path to Proficiency helped Cherry Creek School District accelerate language and writing proficiency for English Language Learners (ELLs).
Path to Proficiency helps to make language visible to students. It allows them to integrate new concepts into their thinking so they can access and use them independently later on.
Dr. Holly Porter, Director of ELA Programs
Read The StoryPatriot Elementary
Florida
At Patriot Elementary, the hallways are filled with colorful Thinking Maps—and students have gone from passive learners to an active learning community.
Thinking Maps gave our kids continuity in academic language and thinking, from Kindergarten on up. Now we have more time to focus on content, because the kids already have that structure for learning
Michelina Edwards, 5th-grade Teacher
Read The StoryFriendship Elementary
Texas
Lasting school change requires ongoing professional development and support. At Friendship Elementary, the Thinking Maps Learning Community (TMLC) supports school transformation.
TMLC is a springboard for more intentional staff development and a frame to talk about deeper issues in our school.
David Rische, Principal
Read The StoryMagnolia School District
California
When Magnolia School District needed a better way to develop writing proficiency, Write from the Beginning…and Beyond was the key to empowering students of all backgrounds.
Our scope and sequence give us the WHAT we need to teach, but Write from the Beginning is the HOW.
Hanan Thornton, Asst Superintendent of Educational Services
Read The StoryKenilworth Elementary
Arizona
At Kenilworth, Thinking Maps was the centerpiece of a whole-school transformation experience that took the school from struggling to a "Super Cool School!"
Thinking Maps has changed the culture of our school. There is more enthusiasm for learning, and students and teachers are having deeper dialogs in the classroom.
Anthony Pietrangeli, Principal
Read The StoryWest Belden
Illinois
West Belden, a K-8 Chicago International Charter School, uses Thinking Maps as a foundation for their personalized approach to instruction.
Thinking Maps blends well with our mission in that the Maps enable self-directed learning, a foundation we can use to scale our personalized learning model.
Katie O'Conner, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Read The StoryLake County
Florida
Lake County uses Thinking Maps to build student-owned learning strategies that they can take with them anywhere. As a result, they are reaching new levels of achievement.
Thinking Maps builds confidence for our students and allows them to tackle high-order tasks on their own. They own the learning.
Kati Pearson, Director of Teaching and Learning
Read The StoryConcourse Village Elementary
New York
Concourse Village Elementary School (CVES), a New York City Pre-K5 school, went from single-digit proficiency levels to top ten performance with Thinking Maps.
When everyone is using the same language, the students own the strategies. It becomes automatic for them. When they see a problem in front of them, they know how to reach for the right Map to work through their thinking.
Alexa Sorden, Founding Principal
Read The StoryLucia Mar USD
California
At Lucia Mar U.S.D., an embedded and targeted approach to Thinking Maps training led to significant gains in student progress.
The data tells the story. When schools are using Thinking Maps with fidelity, we see scores go up.
Kelly Logue, Teacher on Special Assignment
Read The StoryBonita Springs Elementary
Florida
Bonita Springs Elementary went from a struggling school to Exceeding Expectations in just two years. Thinking Maps was one of the pillars of their school transformation.
Thinking Maps has made my teaching more consistent. I see my students making deeper connections when they use Thinking Maps — they are learning so much more.
Brooke Muccio, Third Grade Teacher
Read The StoryKenmore Elementary School
California
Kenmore Elementary School earned national recognition for their achievement gains. A focus on writing with Write from the Beginning…and Beyond was the key.
Writing is thinking. When students can write effectively, we know that means they are learning and able to express what they know.
Jane Sattari, Principal
Read The StoryMeadow Hill GEMS
New York
Meadow Hill GEMS met or exceeded ESSA growth targets for all student subgroups with help from Thinking Maps and the Thinking Maps Learning Community (TMLC).
We used to put too many limits on students. Thinking Maps eliminates those limits and lets all students be successful.
Laura Russell, Assistant Principal
Read The StoryDavid Crockett Early Education
Texas
David Crockett Early Education School increased the number of students entering kindergarten with grade-appropriate literacy skills from 40% to 80% with help from Thinking Maps.
It's amazing to see what these children are capable of when you give them the right tools for learning.
Kathy Hasty, Instructional Coach
Read The StoryShumway Leadership Academy
Arizona
Thinking Maps was one of the cornerstones of Shumway's school transformation plan. Their investment led to accelerated achievement and two Exemplary Title I Program Awards.
The rigor and depth of thought you can accomplish by utilizing the Maps is amazing. Thinking Maps has been transformative for our school community.
Dr. Korry Brenner, Principal
Read The Story