The Calculus Project (TCP) is a grassroots-style initiative to dramatically increase the number of students of color and low-income students who complete AP Calculus in high school. TCP is defined by its comprehensiveness, its very high expectations, its cultural sensitivity, and its commitment to sustainability.
- TCP schools offer preparatory courses in the summer, and re-teaching/tutoring during the school year, supporting mathematics instruction from grade 8 through grade 12.
- TCP schools intentionally group students of color and low-income students in the same class. Research shows this creates a more comfortable and productive academic environment for these students.
- TCP schools offer after-school study groups with teacher support. This gives students the content knowledge, the skills, and more confidence to succeed in high-level math classes. The after-school study groups often evolve into student-run “beyond school” voluntary study groups, which is rarely seen with historically underperforming students.
- The Pride Curriculum provides instruction on the historical accomplishments of STEM leaders of color.
- TCP enables some students to become peer teachers during the 11th and 12th grades.