As California advances the implementation of its updated Mathematics Framework, the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is supporting school districts in strengthening math instruction and expanding pathways into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
Director Christen Northrop, along with SCOE’s math and science staff, are working closely with local educational agencies (LEAs) to prepare for the California State Board of Education’s 2025 K–8 Mathematics Instructional Materials Adoption. This adoption marks a critical moment for districts as they align curriculum (including Algebra I and Integrated Math I) with the new framework’s focus on conceptual understanding, equity, and student access to advanced coursework.
To support early planning and informed decision-making, SCOE hosted a Math Curriculum Fair on December 9, welcoming more than 200 educators and leaders to its David P. Meaney Education Center to review numerous curriculum options. The fair provided districts with side-by-side access to instructional materials, plus publisher presentations and expert guidance. What can be an overwhelming adoption process became a hands-on, practical experience. Most of the state’s 27 approved publishers were in attendance to meet with the educators.
SCOE Curriculum and Instruction Expertise Being Shared Statewide
SCOE’s curriculum and instruction expertise is being tapped statewide. Earlier this month, the SCOE math and science teams were invited to participate in a focused conversation at a conference hosted by the California School Boards Association (CSBA). Supported by a Gates Foundation grant, CSBA is helping board trustees and superintendents across the state understand the shifts in the new framework, and the important role they play in improving student math outcomes.
The invitation reflects SCOE’s growing role as a trusted partner for districts navigating both the “what” and the “how” of math improvement. From curriculum adoption to statewide leadership, SCOE continues to act as a connector—bringing clarity, coherence, and momentum to math instruction so every student has a fair shot at success in STEM disciplines and beyond. The end result: fewer binders gathering dust, and more classrooms seeing real change.