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Penfield recommends Amplify Desmos Math for K–5 after multi-year pilots and teacher feedback
Summary
The district’s director of STEM, Kim Gebhardt, presented results of multi-year pilots and recommended adopting Amplify Desmos Math (ADM) for K–5, citing increased engagement, alignment to state standards and teacher involvement in curriculum selection.
Kim Gebhardt, the district director of STEM, presented the elementary math textbook adoption recommendation for Amplify Desmos Math (ADM) at the Sept. 9 Penfield Central School District board meeting.
Gebhardt described ADM as a blended print-and-digital, problem-based curriculum that includes curiosity-sparking tasks, digital lessons and built-in teacher supports. She said the program is aligned to the New York State Next Generation Math Standards and noted unit storytelling, warm-ups designed to be “low floor, high ceiling,” and built-in differentiation strategies and language supports.
The adoption path detailed a multi-year review: Math Expressions (2013) was previously used; in 2022–23 teacher pilots were conducted with other providers; 30 teachers piloted Amplify Desmos in May 2024 and teacher feedback supported moving forward; all K–5 teachers piloted a beta version in 2024–25 and a majority of formal feedback respondents recommended adoption. Gebhardt cited teacher observations of increased student engagement, stronger math discourse, and effective teacher support materials (mini-lessons, extensions, digital lessons and lesson videos). She also described coaching supports, two math interventionists per building who will push into classrooms, and continued professional learning provided by the curriculum developers.
Board members commended strong teacher involvement in the review process and said teacher input would help implementation. Gebhardt noted ADM’s cultural‑responsiveness features, anonymous digital modes, and paired-student supports and said the district worked with curriculum creators for feedback during the beta pilot.
Ending: The recommendation was presented for board consideration; the presentation did not include a recorded final vote within the provided excerpt.
