D46 staff recommend Imagine Learning for K–5, Amplify/Desmos for grades 6–8; board to review March 19

The Community Consolidated School District 46 planning-and-design team recommended on Feb. 26 that the board adopt Imagine Learning I AM for kindergarten through fifth grade and Amplify (with Desmos) for sixth through eighth grades, with full proposals and costs to be returned for a formal vote at the March 19 board meeting.

"We are really excited to be here this evening to share our math resource recommendations with you," said Amy Gluck, a district presenter, introducing the PDT’s report and timeline. The district has placed both sets of materials on public review and will bring a request for approval back to the board on March 19.

The PDT said it conducted a year-and-a-half review process that began with a needs assessment, a rubric, vendor presentations, classroom site visits and hands-on review of materials by staff from every building. K–5 reviewers highlighted hands-on student workbooks, built-in formative assessments and strong alignment with Illinois learning standards as reasons for recommending Imagine Learning I AM. Middle-school reviewers recommended Amplify (Desmos) for its problem-based activities, built-in differentiation, assessment and continuity with high-school calculator tools used in District 127.

The PDT explained implementation and timeline details: pending board approval, the district plans professional development starting in late-start days this spring, deeper training during early-release days next year and summer work before the 2025–26 school year. The presenters said schools would retain reusable manipulatives, dispose of or donate outdated materials in June, and expect new consumable student workbooks and teacher materials to arrive in July.

Gluck presented vendor pricing the PDT received for four-year contracts: Imagine Learning I AM was quoted at $467,992 for four years; Amplify (6–8, including Algebra 1 materials and on-site coaching) was quoted at $336,097 for four years. The PDT said roughly two-thirds of initial payments would come from the 2025–26 teaching and learning budget with the remainder in 2026–27; some professional-development costs would be supported by Title II funds (the PDT referenced $7,400 in current-year Title II and $19,300 in next-year Title II for Amplify PD). The presenters said they negotiated vendor pricing and considered multi-year discounts when preparing the recommendation.

Materials are available for public review at district offices through March 19. The PDT asked staff and community members to contact Amanda Wardroof to schedule a time to examine materials. The board did not vote on the adoption on Feb. 26; the formal approval request is scheduled for the March 19 meeting.

The presentation included classroom and vendor-level details the PDT used to judge fit (access to Spanish materials, digital interactive activities, teacher editions and editable assessments). The PDT also noted coordination with District 127 to smooth students’ transition to high school math pathways.

Next steps: public review through March 19, a board vote planned March 19, and, if approved, phased professional development and material distribution beginning in spring and summer 2025.