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TUSD teachers pick Amplify Desmos for middle grades; board set to approve materials
Summary
After a multi-stage review, Torrance Unified staff reported teachers selected Amplify Desmos Math for middle school (teacher tally 40-2) and a separate high-school title by a wide teacher margin; the board will consider a consent item to approve both sets of materials and scheduled training for teachers.
District staff presented the results of a multi-month mathematics instructional materials review and teacher selection process, recommending two finalists at each level and reporting decisive teacher preference for the recommended titles.
Dr. Hordell told the board that a teacher selection committee reviewed nine middle-school and eight high-school titles, held presentations with publishers, and then brought finalists to schools for site-level review. Middle-school teachers voted 40-2 to select AmplifyDesmos Math over Illustrative Math (42 of 45 possible responses were returned), and high-school teachers selected a recommended high-school series by a 77%-23% margin (57 of 59 possible responses returned).
Staff described the differences between the finalists: both middle-school finalists emphasize the same content and pedagogy, but Amplify Desmos offers greater integrated technology and a consumable practice textbook for middle-school students; the recommended high-school title includes online diagnostic and practice modules and will be issued as a hardbound text at the high-school level. District staff said they will provide publisher-led professional development throughout the spring and optional paid summer planning sessions so teachers are prepared to implement the materials in September.
Next steps
The materials selection will appear as a consent item for board approval; staff will schedule training with school sites and publishers this spring and offer summer preparation sessions for teachers.
