The SDCOE Math Team is available to support you in your math materials review, pilot and adoption. The process begins by articulating the current state of math teaching and learning in your LEA, a vision for math teaching and learning for the future, and then identifying particular needs in materials to support moving from the current state towards the vision.
Guidance for Math Materials Adoption
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find answers to general Instructional Materials FAQs from CDE, or check out our curated Math Materials FAQs below:
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What books are on the recommended list from the state?
The list of approved mathematics curriculum for K-8 is available here. As of 2013, EC Section 60210 was added via AB 1246 (Brownley). It states the following: "(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a local educational agency may use instructional materials that are aligned with the academic content standards adopted pursuant to Section 60605 or 60605.8, including instructional materials that have not been adopted by the state board pursuant to Section 60200.” This means that LEAs can adopt materials not on the approved list. There is no complete listing of all mathematics materials, but EdReports does provide an extensive list of mathematics materials.
What books do you recommend (to adopt or pilot)?
It is impossible from our position to fully assess and recommend materials because of the uniqueness of each LEA, and the needs of the teachers, students and families. Each program has strengths and shortcomings. It is important to match these to the strengths and needs of your LEA at the specific time you are looking to purchase new materials. We believe that local teams hold the expertise needed to make these decisions, and we are available to support you on your journey.
How does SDCOE support us through an adoption process?
We can customize our support to your needs during an adoption process. We’ve developed a tool to help guide you through important steps in the process, which you can access here. As you consider the process, please reach out to us for additional support.
Mark Alcorn, for K-5 support
Audrey Mendivil, for 6-8 support
Mindy Shacklett, for 9-12 support
How can we look at books?
SDCOE operates the Learning Resource Display Center (LRDC) in Linda Vista which houses instructional materials available for viewing. You can make an appointment to view materials. We highly recommend that you ask in advance if there are particular programs you wish to review, to ensure their availability.
In addition, the staff at the LRDC maintains a list of publisher contact information, and can help you navigate getting review materials delivered directly to your LEA if you prefer.
What programs are other districts using?
We are unable to maintain a list of math materials used throughout the county due to the frequency that materials are changed.
We also recognize that the uniqueness of each LEA, and the needs of the teachers, students and families need to be matched to their own materials.
Which program gets the best test scores?
We don’t have any research that supports correlating a specific material to test scores.
EdReports offers various reports to help indicate the degree to which the materials are aligned with CA Standards, both content and practices, which are the targets of the state assessments. A high degree of alignment might indicate a high degree of support for students in preparing them for state assessments. In particular, their reports on Gateways 1 (content standards) and 2 (practice standards) offer information about the materials’ alignment.
Which program has the best EL support?
We recognize the brilliance and needs of emerging bilingual students, but also that their strengths and needs are variable across the identity marker. We encourage you to consider with your students, teachers and families the unique strengths and needs of your emerging bilingual learners as you work through the important steps towards adoption.
Which program do teachers like?
We recognize the brilliance and needs of all teachers, but also that their strengths and needs are variable across the county. We encourage you to consider with your teachers the unique strengths and needs they have as you work through the important steps towards adoption.
In addition, EdReports offers various reports to help indicate the degree of usability of the materials (Gateway 3).
Which programs come with an intervention program?
We are unable to maintain a list of math materials that have intervention programs due to the frequency that materials are changed.
As you consider intervention, we recommend reading or watching one or more of the following:
Which program has the best technology options (can be used with specific devices…)?
We are unable to maintain a list of math materials that have technology options (or used with specific devices) due to the frequency that materials are changed.
As you consider technology use in mathematics, we recommend reading or watching one or more of the following:
What open resources are there?
There is a list of open resources available here. In addition, EdReports continues to review new materials and maintains a list of new materials under consideration.
When will there be a new list of materials (for the new mathematics framework)?
The new mathematics framework is currently in process. You can view the timeline here. There will be a materials review after the final SBE approval of the new mathematics framework.