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Laguna Beach board adopts Amplify Desmos elementary math curriculum after teacher-led pilot
Summary
Following a multi-year pilot involving about half of K–5 teachers, the Laguna Beach Unified School District unanimously approved adoption of Amplify Desmos for elementary math (not to exceed $310,000) to align with updated California math frameworks and support deeper conceptual work in classrooms.
Laguna Beach — The Laguna Beach Unified School District board voted Jan. 16 to adopt Amplify Desmos as the K–5 elementary math instructional materials beginning in the 2026–27 school year in an amount not to exceed $310,000.
Dr. Mayberry described a three-phase adoption process built on extensive teacher pilot work, stakeholder input, family nights, and alignment with state framework updates. Staff said roughly half of the district’s elementary teachers piloted materials and provided structured feedback; the pilot produced a unanimous recommendation for Amplify Desmos based on criteria including access for all learners, meaningful assessments and classroom usability.
Trustees asked about vertical alignment with secondary curriculum and about the district’s capacity to pivot if outcomes are not as expected. Dr. Mayberry and other staff explained the district staged elementary adoption before secondary work so middle- and high-school teachers can learn from the elementary implementation; secondary selection will follow a deliberate process next year. Staff also said targeted additional materials or supplemental units would be provided if areas such as fractions require extra support.
Board members praised the teacher-driven process and recommended close monitoring during implementation. The motion to adopt carried unanimously. Staff will proceed with implementation planning, professional learning and master-schedule adjustments that staff said will not materially change course counts because the new materials replace existing elementary resources.
