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Redondo Beach Unified board approves concurrent Geometry/Algebra II pathway and recommends Envision curriculum
Summary
The board endorsed a new high-school acceleration option allowing freshmen and sophomores to take Geometry and Algebra II concurrently (with readiness indicators and a waiver process) and the committee recommended the Envision secondary math curriculum after broad pilot feedback; materials purchase will be funded from committed funds.
The Redondo Beach Unified School District board on March 10 heard a two-part presentation that added an acceleration point to the high-school math pathway and recommended Envision as the district's secondary math curriculum.
Assistant Superintendent Allison Garland told the board the new acceleration option allows qualified freshmen or sophomores to enroll concurrently in Geometry and Algebra II so students can access higher-level math earlier without requiring summer school. Placement indicators cited by Garland include a CAST score of 4, a MAP test RIT near 238, and at least an A-minus in semester one algebra; students who do not meet those indicators may pursue a waiver after counselor and teacher input.
Committee members and teachers described scheduling options, including offering Geometry or Algebra II as a 0-period to reduce elective loss. Committee teacher Casey Waddell said current options now permit seven-period schedules so students can pursue acceleration without losing electives in some configurations.
Eileen Lechenby, director of educational services, explained the curriculum adoption process: the committee screened the CDE's approved programs, cross-checked EdReports ratings, piloted top choices and gathered stakeholder input. She said pilots and surveys generated strong participation—more than 1,700 student responses and input from teachers and families—and that Envision emerged as the clear recommended program.
Teachers who piloted Envision told the board they appreciated the mix of inquiry and direct instruction, tangible consumable workbooks for students, and flexible assessment tools that can be edited by teachers. Lechenby said the district will implement year 1 of a three-year adoption plan, begin teacher training this spring and order materials in time for fall; she estimated the materials purchase will exceed $1,000,000 and will be paid from committed funds, with warrants to appear on upcoming reports.
Board members and public commenters asked about alignment across grade bands and the transition for students who move between standards-based grading practices at middle school and the district's high-school grading conventions. Garland and Lechenby said the adoption covers grades 6 through Algebra II and emphasized teacher collaboration, training and a multi-year rollout to support continuity.
The board praised the committee's thorough process and the breadth of stakeholder engagement; Garland said a family letter about pathways and enrollment steps will be sent to families before the next scheduling window.
