This research was conducted over 2 years in a variety of ways:

• Careful and in-depth analysis of the Common Curriculum Framework for 7-9 Mathematics, 2006 by the development team members
• Careful analysis of the Rethinking Classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind, a new publication by the Western and Northern Canadian Protocol partnering provinces and territories, developed with the goal of enhancing student learning
• Careful analysis of The Power of Assessment FOR Learning: A Final Report prepared by GWM Consulting Ltd. for the Alberta Assessment Consortium
• Careful analysis of the Classroom Assessment Tool Kit created by Alberta Learning for the Information and Communication Technology, Grades 7-9
• Thorough review and analysis of research in the intermediate leaner and learning related theories including Reflections on Multiple Intelligences, by H. Gardner, Adolescence by G.S. Hall, Looking in Classrooms (8th ed) by T.L Good and J. E. Brophy, and many other documents.
• Building an author and consultant team with extensive background in teaching math at the middle school years
• Insight and feedback provided through student and teacher focus groups and interviews
• Analysis of data collected from teacher and consultant completed surveys