Bend-LaPine reviews Math 2 curriculum and districtwide math pathways

District curriculum staff presented a proposed Math 2 adoption and a districtwide pathway plan intended to expand access to rigorous, applied mathematics for all students.

Dean Richards, director of secondary curriculum, instruction and systems, told the Board of Directors the district is moving away from “weed-out” approaches and toward curricular materials and course pathways that present math as applied and engaging. “We want math to be the pump,” Richards said, describing the Department of Education’s four cornerstones and the goal that “every student think of themselves as a mathematician.”

The proposal would standardize Math 1 and Math 2 content across high schools and launch a set of “plus-one” elective pathways — including AP precalculus/calculus, data science, applied math and math-and-society options — so students can move between pathways rather than be placed on a fixed track. Richards said the district will create a Canvas course that contains common materials, vocabulary supports and differentiation for multilingual students and those with IEPs so teachers, students and families can see the same resources.

Summit High School teacher Jackie Greenwood led a short classroom-style demonstration of a Math 2 geometry task. Greenwood guided participants through an experience-first, formalize-later lesson on why the angles of a triangle sum to 180 degrees. The demonstration was used to illustrate how Mathematic tasks present context, collaboration and entry points for diverse learners.

Staff said the district will continue to develop “plus-one” courses and train teachers for new offerings such as data science. Dean Richards and staff noted next steps include building common district assessments and training; they also reiterated the materials are out for public review and comment from May 13 to June 2, with a link on the district website to view tasks and submit feedback.

No formal board vote on Math 2 took place at the May 13 meeting; the presentation was informational and the curriculum will return for later action.

Why this matters: District staff and teachers described the proposal as an attempt to raise systemwide consistency and give historically underserved students clearer pathways to advanced coursework while keeping multiple options available.

Questions or follow-up: Staff said they will provide Canvas access and supplementary teacher supports, and will build common formative assessments across core content as part of Division 22 expectations.