Chandler Unified staff recommend i‑Ready for K–5 math; six‑year, $4.04M proposal slated for 60‑day public review

Chandler Unified School District staff recommended i‑Ready by Curriculum Associates as the district’s preferred K–5 math instructional resource and proposed posting the material for a 60‑day public review.

District presenters told the Governing Board that a three‑phase review involving 135 participants—teachers, coaches, administrators and parent representatives—narrowed 11 submitted resources to two finalists. Using a posted rubric that emphasized standards alignment, instructional supports and design/usability, staff reported i‑Ready averaged 72.12 out of 81 and Reveal Math (McGraw Hill) averaged 66.05 out of 81.

"I‑Ready classroom mathematics [is] a well‑balanced, engaging and adaptive program that supports both teachers and students effectively," said Eric Bridal, a district math coach who led the rubric presentation, summarizing teacher and parent feedback that highlighted coherence, progress tracking and resources for family engagement.

Why it matters: staff said i‑Ready’s diagnostics, unit‑flow videos and teacher reports would allow faster identification of learning gaps, automated grouping for targeted instruction and shared learning progressions across grade levels—features they argued would strengthen the district’s multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS).

Cost and next steps: district staff presented a six‑year purchase estimate of $4,044,226.17, with an average annual cost of $674,037.70, and said professional development is included in the proposal. Staff estimated a six‑year contract would save approximately $1,835,000 compared with procuring licenses year‑to‑year. They proposed posting physical and digital copies for public review Nov. 13–Jan. 11 and returning the results of that comment period to the board on Feb. 11.

"The estimated cost of the six‑year adoption is $4,044,226.17," a district presenter said during the meeting.

Questions from board members focused on implementation details. Board member Mr. Heap asked how i‑Ready would support students enrolled in accelerated CTA placements; staff said license assignments in Infinite Campus map a student to the appropriate grade‑level license and the diagnostic adapts instruction over time. Mr. Morris relayed parent concerns that favored drill and rote practice; staff responded that i‑Ready emphasizes conceptual mathematics aligned to NCTM recommendations but that supplementary materials and local classroom practices can provide automaticity and drill when parents or sites request them.

There was no formal board vote on the adoption during the study session; the presentation was a staff recommendation and the item, if approved to proceed, will enter the 60‑day public review period.

The Governing Board will receive the public‑review feedback and staff recommendations when the item returns for consideration on Feb. 11.