Charles A. Dana Center

What Charles A. Dana Center does

The Charles A. Dana Center is a non-profit research and education center within the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1987 at UC Berkeley and relocated to UT Austin in 1991 under founder Uri Treisman. It develops research-based mathematics, science, and literacy curricula and professional learning resources for the K-12 and higher education sectors, employing more than 70 professionals and operating with a mission to ensure equitable access to high-quality mathematics, science, and literacy education.

The Center's portfolio spans multiple product lines and programs. Core offerings include Literacy First (K-2 early literacy tutoring, operating since 1994), Inside Mathematics (a professional resource site with videos, problems, and Common Core materials), MathCuts (60-90 second standards-aligned video clips reaching over 1,000,000 people), OpenSciEd (open-source middle school science curriculum developed through a multi-institution consortium including BSCS, Northwestern, Boston College, CU Boulder, and Digital Promise), Dana Center Mathematics Pathways courses (delivered digitally through Lumen Learning's OHM at $25 per student), the Launch Years Initiative (now in 27 states scaling math pathways from high school through postsecondary), and the CoMPASS three-year national collaborative (2025-2028). The Center also publishes research reports such as 'Charting the Course: The State of Mathematics Pathways' and operates the Corequisite Research Design Collaborative.

The Center is grant-funded rather than commercially revenue-driven. Funding sources include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, ECMC Foundation, Strong Start to Finish (Education Commission of the States), Ascendium Education Group, and Microsoft, alongside state agency contracts. Most resources are freely distributed; the only disclosed paid channel is $25 per student through Lumen Learning. The go-to-market is institutional and policy-oriented: direct engagement with state departments of education (New Mexico, Louisiana, Georgia, Washington), regional district coalitions (CTXMAT with 13 districts serving 285,000+ students), higher-education institutions (community colleges and four-year systems), and federal partners (DoDEA). Dana Center/Agile Mind programs reach 350,000 secondary students and 6,000 teachers across 1,200+ districts in 28 states.

Name

Charles A. Dana Center

Legal name

The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin

Website

https://utdanacenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Charles A. Dana Center is a non-profit research center at UT Austin that develops math, science, and literacy curricula and professional learning for K-12 districts, state education agencies, and higher-education institutions across 27+ U.S. states, serving over 350,000 students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Digital Curriculum & Interactive Lessons (EDAGAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG), Reading & Literacy Centers (Phonics, Comprehension, Writing) (EDANAHAD)

Keywords

• K-12 mathematics curriculum
• Higher education math pathways
• Teacher professional learning
• Education research and consulting
• STEM education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: The Dana Center receives substantial grant funding from major foundations including Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ascendium Education Group, Strong Start to Finish (Education Commission of the States), and ECMC Foundation. Grants support specific initiatives like virtual professional learning, corequisite toolkit development, and the CoMPASS initiative.
2. Foundation Support: Support from Michael & Susan Dell Foundation for regional mathematics alignment initiatives like the Central Texas Math Alignment Taskforce (CTXMAT).
3. Corporate Partnership Funding: Microsoft provided grant support for the collaborative initiative addressing math and computer science teaching shortages in Texas, involving the Dana Center, UTeach, and WeTeach_CS.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin is a non-profit research and education center that develops research-based mathematics, science, and literacy curricula, tools, and professional learning services for K-12 districts, state education agencies, and higher education institutions. Its offerings include the Literacy First early literacy intervention program, Inside Mathematics and MathCuts online resources, OpenSciEd middle school science materials, Dana Center Mathematics Pathways courses, and statewide initiatives such as Launch Years and CoMPASS.

Product overview

The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin is an education nonprofit that offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs, curricular resources, and professional learning services across K-12 and higher education. The K-12 portfolio includes award-winning professional development, the Literacy First early literacy program, Inside Mathematics resources, MathCuts video-based professional learning, OpenSciEd science materials, and Dana Center/Agile Mind course programs used by over 350,000 students in 1,200+ districts. The higher education portfolio features MathPaths, the Corequisite Research Design Collaborative, CoMPASS initiative, Mathematics Education for Manufacturing, and related toolkits and resources. These offerings work together to transform education systems so learners have access to excellent mathematics, science, and literacy education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Literacy First: A program of the Charles A. Dana Center that helps children develop reading skills to realize their full potential.
• Inside Mathematics
• OpenSciEd
• MathCuts
• Launch Years Initiative
• CoMPASS
• Corequisite Research Design Collaborative (CRDC)

Quantifiable outcome

• Students in Dana Center Mathematics Pathways courses are 50% more likely to pass college-level math than students in traditional/developmental math courses
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Lumen LearningcoreTechnology or Integration · 8 March 2022Partnership to increase equitable math success by offering Dana Center curriculum through Lumen's Online Homework Manager platform. Lumen will support institutions and faculty adopting Dana Center courses with LMS integration, auto-grading, and technical support at $25 per student. Courses include Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reasoning with Functions 1 and 2, and Introductory Statistics.
• Brazosport CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2020Dana Center sponsored Brazosport College webinar on equity-minded practices in writing centers and English corequisites.
• Lone Star College-KingwoodminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2020Dana Center sponsored Lone Star College-Kingwood webinar on culturally inclusive teaching practices in mathematics tutoring and corequisites, facilitated by Professor Stephanie Andrews.
• UTeachcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2020UTeach at UT Austin is an innovative university-based teacher preparation program. Together with the Dana Center and WeTeach_CS, addressing math and computer science teaching shortages in Texas, particularly in rural areas. Focus on middle school teacher preparation through regional approach.
• WeTeach_CS (Texas Advanced Computing Center)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2020WeTeach_CS from Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) partnered with Dana Center and UTeach on the initiative addressing math and CS teaching shortages. WeTeach_CS Collaboratives have made significant impact on teacher capacity in rural schools, supporting over 500 Texas educators to achieve CS certification since 2015.
• OpenSciEd Developers ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding consortium member along with BSCS Science Learning, Northwestern University, Boston College, University of Colorado Boulder, and Digital Promise. Dana Center supported development and field testing of OpenSciEd middle school science units across ten states including California, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Washington.
• E3 AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE3 Alliance serves as trusted regional education backbone organization for Central Texas Math Alignment Taskforce (CTXMAT). Partnered with Dana Center on collective impact initiative with 13 independent school districts, 6 universities, and 2 community colleges serving over 285,000 PK-12 students and 125,000 undergraduate students.
• Education Strategy GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation Strategy Group partnered with Dana Center on Launch Years Initiative to support scaling of mathematics pathways from high school through postsecondary education into the workplace, aligned to students' goals and aspirations.
• Parent Institute for Quality EngagementmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Launch Years Initiative contributing to national movement for mathematics pathways alignment between high school and postsecondary education.
• Launch Years Math Organizations Leadership NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork including Alliance of Indigenous Math Circles, American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges, American Statistical Association, Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics, Benjamin Banneker Association, Conference Board of Mathematical Sciences, Mathematical Association of America, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, NCSM, and TODOS: Mathematics for ALL.
• Agile Mind Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationAgile Mind publishes Dana Center-authored curriculum for middle and high school mathematics. Dana Center/Agile Mind course programs are enacted in more than 1,200 school districts by 350,000 secondary students and 6,000 teachers in 28 states. Agile Mind developed smartphone accessibility for curriculum, removing barriers for low-income students.
• Strong Start to FinishcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong Start to Finish, an initiative of Education Commission of the States, partnered on Dana Center Mathematics Pathways and corequisite work. Provided grant support for DCMP Corequisite Toolkit development. Aims to significantly increase low-income students, students of color, and returning adults succeeding in college math and English in first year.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• WestEd: WestEd is a nonprofit research, development, and service agency that works across K-12 and higher education on systemic improvement, much like the Dana Center. Both serve as federally and foundation-funded intermediaries that develop research-based resources, professional learning, and policy support for state education systems.
• Illustrative Mathematics: Illustrative Mathematics develops open, problem-based K-12 math curriculum and professional learning that directly competes with the Dana Center's K-12 math offerings. Both are mission-driven math curriculum organizations serving the same K-12 districts with standards-aligned resources.
• Great Minds: Great Minds develops open K-12 curricula including Eureka Math (now Eureka Squared) and PhD Science, which directly overlap with the Dana Center's MathCuts/Agile Mind math and OpenSciEd science resources. Both organizations serve the same open-curriculum K-12 market.
• Carnegie Learning: Carnegie Learning offers MATHia adaptive math software and previously operated Carnegie Math Pathways, a higher education math pathways reform initiative that is a direct analog of Dana Center Mathematics Pathways. Both organizations develop research-based math curriculum and pathways at K-12 and higher education levels.
• BSCS Science Learning: BSCS Science Learning is a co-founder of the OpenSciEd Developers Consortium alongside the Dana Center. Both develop K-12 science curriculum, conduct educational research, and provide professional learning to science educators at the same districts and state systems.
• MIND Research Institute: MIND Research Institute develops the ST Math visual instructional program for K-12 math, competing in the same districts as the Dana Center's MathCuts and Agile Mind math programs. Both organizations focus on research-based math learning with visual/puzzle-based approaches.
• Open Up Resources: Open Up Resources develops open-license K-12 math and ELA curricula (Open Up Math is based on Illustrative Mathematics) that compete in the same districts as the Dana Center/Agile Mind math programs. Both organizations focus on standards-aligned, research-based open curriculum resources.
• Achieving the Dream: Achieving the Dream is a nonprofit network focused on community college student success, including math pathways and developmental education reform. Both organizations work on higher education math pathways, corequisite remediation, and serving community college systems.

Emerging players

• Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers free K-12 and higher education math/science instructional videos and exercises that complement or substitute for parts of the Dana Center's Inside Mathematics and MathCuts resources. Both deliver free digital math learning at scale, though Khan Academy is consumer-direct while the Center focuses on educator professional learning.

Broad incumbents

• Curriculum Associates: Curriculum Associates produces iReady diagnostic and instruction and Ready classroom curriculum for K-12 math and reading, serving many of the same districts as the Dana Center. As a much larger commercial incumbent, it competes broadly with the Center's math curriculum offerings while also operating at a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/utdanacenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/charles-a-dana-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Charles A. Dana Center