Muscatine board approves new math curricula for grades 6–12, allocates $528,374 for materials and training

The Muscatine Community School District Board of Education voted May 12 to adopt new math curricula for middle and high school: Eureka Math Squared for grades 6–8 and Reveal (with ALEKS support) for grades 9–12, and authorized related professional development and materials purchases totaling $528,374.64.

Board members heard a presentation from building and curriculum staff explaining the pilot, teacher and student feedback, and next steps for implementation. Leslie Bennett, principal at Grant Elementary, said teacher survey results showed a strong preference: “90% preferred Eureka Math Squared in grades 6 through 8,” and 90% preferred Reveal in grades 9 through 12. Bennett also said students’ responses aligned with teachers’ choices.

Teachers who piloted the programs described why they recommended the selections. Jordan Meyer, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at Susan Clark, told the board the Eureka lessons “have lots of space for [students] to show their work” and provide frequent formative checks. Gabe McDonald, a Muscatine High School teacher who piloted geometry, algebra and Algebra II, said Reveal “was easy to use. The students enjoyed it,” and highlighted the ALEKS platform’s personalized, assessment-driven practice.

During discussion, staff said pilots included extensive professional development and weekly check-ins. District staff reported that 603 middle-grade students provided feedback and 72.5% preferred Eureka Math Squared; 328 high-school students responded, with 74.1% preferring Reveal. Presenters said parents were offered a one-month window to review materials; no parents used that opportunity during the window. Staff said special-education teachers participated in the pilots and that ALEKS will be used to personalize instruction at the high-school level.

The board approved two purchase items by motion: Eureka Math Squared for grades 6–8, including materials and professional development, in the amount of $333,764.53; and Reveal for grades 9–12, including ALEKS, in the amount of $194,610.11. After the vote, district staff said they would place orders so teachers could access materials over the summer, schedule professional development during an August in-service day, and provide ongoing training during the school year based on teacher feedback.

Implementation details discussed included: ensuring vertical alignment between grade bands, supplemental materials and accessibility for students who use iPads or require different digital interfaces, and working with the alternative high school to align programming for students served there.

The board’s action funds one-time curriculum cycle costs from the general fund; staff said the purchase falls within spending authority and that the district will order materials promptly to support summer review by teachers.