Photo by Richard Hurd
MMSD Takes Steps to Modernize Math Instruction
MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is taking important steps to update its math curriculum and ensure all students receive a consistent, high-quality education in the subject.
District leaders and teachers have developed new math course pathways for four-year-old kindergarten (4K) through grade 12, and are set to begin selecting updated instructional materials for grades kindergarten through eight. The current materials have been in use for more than a decade and no longer reflect the latest standards or best practices for teaching and learning.
“By the time new materials are adopted, our current resources will have been in use for 11 years, which is beyond the typical curricular shelf life of seven years,” said Quinn Marx, director of K–8 math and science. “We are looking for a resource that is structured to embed equitable math teaching practices, including discourse routines that promote equity of voice and … a sense of agency for all students.”
The updated course pathways will help create greater alignment across all schools and ensure that every student, regardless of the school they attend, has opportunities to take higher-level math courses.
To support this work, MMSD has opened a Request for Proposals (RFP 4155) to review and select new K–8 math resources. The process will identify resources that meet state standards, promote understanding and fluency, and support the needs of all learners, including multilingual students and students with disabilities.
“Mindset matters, and how we engage in implementing any new materials is going to be critical to student success,” said Becky Kundert, senior executive director of curriculum and instruction. “We’ve learned a lot from our recent adoption of biliteracy and literacy curriculum [and] we have unpacking protocols and an internalization process that we use across all content areas. For this, we’ll leverage some of the practices that our staff already know well.”
New math materials are expected to be introduced in middle schools for the 2026–27 school year and in elementary schools for 2027–28, following an extensive review and evaluation process.
“This is a long-term investment in the future of math learning in Madison,” said Cindy Green, assistant superintendent of strategy and innovation. “We’re building systems that support teachers, empower students and make high-level math accessible for everyone.”
The Math Task Force, composed of teachers and district leaders, plans to make a recommendation to the Board of Education in February, with a formal vote on the new curriculum later that month.
For more information regarding mathematics instruction in the district, please visit the MMSD website.
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About the Madison Metropolitan School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.