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Statement: California’s Adoption of a High-Quality Math Instructional Materials List Deserves Collective Action
The recent vote by the California State Board of Education to adopt a recommended list of high-quality math instructional materials marks a pivotal moment—and a historic opportunity—to strengthen math learning for the state’s 5.5 million public school students. High quality instructional materials (defined as being aligned to state standards, supporting multilingual learners, and including clear guidance for teachers) are key to students’ academic success and are 40 times more cost-effective than class-size reduction in improving student outcomes.
This action is 10 years in the making and lays the foundation for a stronger, more competitive workforce. Going beyond preparing individuals for higher-paying jobs, strong math instruction fuels local innovation, attracts employers, and strengthens the economic backbone of communities. As the largest economy in the U.S. and fourth largest in the world, improving the workforce in California can have a far-reaching impact.Yet too many students still lack access to the kind of consistent, high-quality math instruction that opens doors to these opportunities.
California can and must do better. On the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only four jurisdictions perform lower than California in 8th-grade math. Achievement gaps remain staggering—more than 40 percentage points separate the performance of economically disadvantaged students and their peers, while Black and Hispanic students lag more than 30 points behind white counterparts. These disparities in math proficiency translate directly into gaps in opportunity and access to good jobs.
From healthcare to construction to advanced technology, math skills are essential to nearly every fast-growing field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nationally, STEM-related careers are expected to grow 3.5 times faster than non-STEM jobs, with median salaries more than double the national average. If California’s students are going to power the next generation of innovation, its classrooms must equip them with the math skills they need to succeed.
For too long, California’s education system left teachers without clear guidance, parents without confidence in their schools, and communities without the skilled workforce they need to grow and thrive. The State Board’s leadership is changing that. By adopting a revised Mathematics Curriculum Framework in 2023 and now advancing a vetted list of aligned instructional materials, California is working to ensure that classroom materials are supportive of all students.
This vote is a crucial step, but it’s only the beginning. While the materials on the list have been deemed as the best currently on the market — local school boards are not compelled to adopt from this list, nor will they be provided any financial incentives to do so. The Center for Education Market Dynamics (CEMD) estimates that upwards of 650 school districts will adopt new math materials following this vote. There is a significant opportunity to raise the quality and consistency of math instruction statewide.
This moment calls for collective action—from educators and families to business and civic leaders. It’s on all of us to urge local school leaders to choose the right materials so every student can build the math skills they’ll need for success in the workforce and in life.
About the Collaborative for Student Success
At our core, we believe leaders at all levels have a role to play in ensuring success for K-12 students. From ensuring schools and teachers are equipped with the best materials to spotlighting the innovative and bold ways federal recovery dollars are being used to drive needed changes, the Collaborative for Student Success aims to inform and amplify policies making a difference for students and families.
To recover from the most disruptive event in the history of American public schools, states and districts are leveraging unprecedented resources to make sure classrooms are safe for learning, providing students and teachers with the high-quality instructional materials they deserve, and are rethinking how best to measure learning so supports are targeted where they’re needed most.