SCUC ISD to form committee for 9–12 math instructional materials; community preview planned in February

District instructional staff told trustees on Oct. 23 they will assemble a committee of teachers and campus administrators to select high‑quality instructional materials (HQIM) for grades 9–12 math. The district plans training for the committee in January, previews for staff and community in February, and a committee recommendation for board action in March.

Staff said House Bill 1605 (state instructional materials guidance) and changes in math instruction — emphasis on conceptual understanding, problem solving and real‑world application rather than rote memorization — motivated the adoption. The district’s last high‑school math adoption was in 2015, and staff said new TEKS for middle‑grade advanced math and recent shifts in curriculum practice make renewal timely.

The committee will use the State Board of Education‑aligned HQIM rubric, receive training, and prioritize materials that provide TEKS‑aligned lesson plans, formative assessments, differentiated supports and job‑embedded professional learning. The district plans in‑person and online community preview opportunities so parents and community members can examine candidate materials and provide feedback.

Trustees asked for an explanation of the shift toward conceptual math instruction. Staff replied that current practice emphasizes building understanding from concrete manipulatives to abstract reasoning, productive struggle, and real‑world context; staff said the answer (for example, 6×7=42) remains the same but teachers work to make the concept meaningful.

Staff will present a slate of teacher committee members for board approval in November and bring any community feedback into the February preview and March recommendation.