Maricopa USD showcases Depth and Complexity framework in 4th-grade classroom demonstration

At the Jan. 8 Maricopa Unified School District governing board meeting, Dr. Hassan presented a classroom spotlight demonstrating the Depth and Complexity instructional framework used at Saddleback Elementary and elsewhere to promote critical thinking and literacy.

District officials said the demonstration, led by 4th-grade teacher Ms. Gilliam and her students, aligns with the district strategic plan goals to increase the share of students at or above grade level and to elevate student voice. Dr. Hassan said the Accelerated program at Saddleback is in its third year of implementation and that the district expects an accelerated class at each grade level by the 2027–28 school year.

In the boardroom demonstration, students used 11 icon prompts — divided into "depth" and "complexity" categories — to analyze a nonfiction story from the district-adopted Wonders curriculum. Ms. Gilliam explained the approach using an example story about a girl, Haley Scott, who started a business making charms for her hearing aids. A student, identified as Cora, answered the essential question, saying, "Starting a business helped Haley Scott be proud of her hearing aids." Ms. Gilliam described how icons prompt students to surface details, unanswered questions and ethical considerations that then guide writing and discussion.

Dr. Hassan told the board teachers have completed three professional-development sessions on the framework and that two additional sessions are scheduled this school year. Teachers were asked to use the framework in two lessons before the next training and to bring student work samples and reflections focused on how the prompts connected to grade-level standards, how they deepened understanding, and what changes were observed in students' abilities to analyze and evaluate information.

Board members commended the students and teacher for the demonstration and asked clarifying questions about scope and rollout. A board member asked whether the framework is used only in Accelerated classrooms; Dr. Hassan responded that the district is training staff to implement the prompts across grade levels and classrooms so that "every student can learn at high levels." When asked about the timeline for expanding the Accelerated program beyond second grade, Dr. Hassan said the district will add third grade next year and continue adding grades through 4th and 5th until implementation is districtwide.

District staff described the Depth and Complexity set as not a separate curriculum but as a set of prompts and lenses to increase student inquiry, retention and transferable problem-solving skills. Dr. Hassan said teachers and students are already reporting positive results in identifying patterns, big ideas and multiple perspectives.

The spotlight closed with Dr. Hassan inviting questions from the board and noting that teachers would continue to bring samples and reflections to future trainings.