Plano ISD outlines math pathways, plans MathRocks expansion to all elementary campuses

Plano ISD staff presented a multi-year plan on March 25 to strengthen math pathways across the district, with the stated goal of ensuring students have preparation and access to Algebra I by eighth grade and expanding MathRocks (a double-acceleration program) to every elementary campus starting in the 2026–27 school year.

Chief learning officer Lori Taylor and Ashley Davis, director of elementary academic services, told trustees the work is grounded in research the district commissioned, and the plan has three components: 1) closing opportunity and achievement gaps by targeting students at or below the 40th percentile for intervention, 2) increasing STEM-related enrichment for students at or above grade level, and 3) expanding MathRocks so qualifying students can remain at their home campus instead of leaving for cluster sites. The MathRocks expansion is intended to preserve program fidelity while removing transportation and community barriers that lead families to decline participation.

Staff described ongoing steps: assessing baseline data, aligning curriculum and materials, training teachers and principals, developing transition plans for current fifth-grade MathRocks students, and monitoring enrollment and outcomes. The district will also evaluate auto-enrollment into honors sequences where state law permits and coordinate with counseling and instructional-coach teams to monitor progress. Trustees asked about decline rates and student choice; staff said a minority of qualifying families decline MathRocks and that detailed data on denials and causes will be tracked.

The presentation emphasized that the district is pursuing both equity (widening access) and excellence (raising rigor) simultaneously and will return to the board with baseline data and annual progress reports.