Blog
Peruse our thought-provoking blogs that offer insights to deepen your understanding of K-12 education in the US.
Building District Readiness for Curriculum Adoption: Insights From Fresno County
Fresno County’s math curriculum adoption work shows how county offices can build district readiness by coordinating expertise, sequencing learning, and centralizing information before publisher engagement.…
Using ELSF’s Math Must-Haves to Guide District Curriculum Decisions
As California districts begin a major cycle of math curriculum adoption, the English Learners’ Success Forum introduces the Math Must-Haves—a set of equity-centered criteria to…
Making Sense of Illustrative Mathematics: A District Leader’s Guide
Illustrative Mathematics is used by districts nationwide, serving more than 5.3 million students, according to CEMD’s 2024–25 research. Because IM is available through multiple product…
Relentless Learning in Tustin USD
CEMD met with Tustin Unified and OCDE leaders to see how they’re using California’s new math adoption to rebuild a shared vision for high-quality instruction—before…
California Releases New Recommended Math Instructional Materials List
California just released its first recommended math instructional materials list in a decade, with notable shifts toward newer, high-quality, standards-aligned options. This blog spotlights what…
Who Gets Access to Quality: Webinar Panel Recap
Explore insights from the “Who Gets Access to Quality?” webinar with leaders from UnboundEd, ELSF, OCDE, and Rivet Education, offering guidance to help California districts…
California’s New Math Instructional Materials List: Five Ways District Leaders Can Turn Selection Into Success
California has released its first approved math materials list in a decade—but a list alone won’t deliver better outcomes. This piece outlines five practical moves…
Curriculum Adoption as a Hinge-Point for Systemwide Transformation: Observations from Laguna Beach Unified School District
This piece highlights how Laguna Beach Unified School District reimagined curriculum adoption as a catalyst for systemwide change—using the process to center student experience, empower…
The Impact of State Adoptions
State adoption cycles strongly shape what instructional materials districts use. This blog highlights how the timing of adoptions is the clearest predictor of whether students…
Building Coherence: What State Leaders Can Do
This blog outlines how state education leaders can strengthen instructional coherence by aligning systems, leveraging HQIM, and learning from national examples. Drawing on new guidance…
ASU+GSV 2025 Panel Recap
Explore highlights from CEMD’s ASU+GSV panel on how state leaders are using curriculum data to drive smarter instructional decisions. This Q&A captures insights on coherence,…
Two Markets, One Classroom: How Core and Supplemental Materials Shape Student Learning
Core and supplemental materials follow different selection processes, often leading to misalignment in the classroom. Discover how districts can bridge the gap between these two…
The Road to Coherence: Ensuring Alignment Between Core and Supplemental Materials
Many districts rely on both core and supplemental materials, but misalignment can lead to fragmented learning experiences. Explore new data on instructional materials and learn…
Unlocking Instructional Coherence Through Curriculum Insights
Discover how curriculum choices shape instructional coherence and influence student success. Learn how core and supplemental materials can work together to create aligned learning experiences—and…
Access to Opportunity: Using Data to Transform Instructional Decision-Making
Access to reliable data on instructional materials is crucial for transforming education and closing opportunity gaps. In this blog, CEMD Executive Director Lora Kaiser explores…
Multilingual Learners and Math: Analyzing Access to High-Quality Core Curricula
This blog analyzes elementary math core curriculum selection trends for the growing population of multilingual learners (MLLs) in the United States.
Beyond Siloed Solutions: A Collaborative Approach to Building a Cohesive Math Learning Ecosystem
Inspired by the findings of our latest market report, education consultant, Molly Minnick Depasquale, explores the growing role of K-5 supplemental math materials and the…
Preparing for Success: How One District is Building a Foundation for HQIM Implementation
Teaching, Learning and Instructional Leadership Collaborative (TLILC) co-founders, John Drake and Jody Guarino, share how TLILC is working with Tustin Unified School District to proactively…
Navigating HQIM Implementation at Scale: Insights From Rivet Education
In this interview with Rivet Education, we explore the challenges and solutions districts face when implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) at scale. For district leaders…
Ushering in a New Era of Curriculum Quality
Education strategist, Lauren Weisskirk, reflects on the evolution of the materials market and her experience supporting teachers and historically underserved students with high-quality curriculum.
Reflecting on Integrated Math: Why Is It Rare in the US and Where Is It Gaining Ground?
Explore the complexities and challenges, from entrenched traditions to policy uncertainties, of integrated math adoption in the US.
The Future of California Math: What Could Localized Math Curriculum Choices Mean for The State’s Curriculum Landscape?
Explore the implications of localized math curriculum choices in California. Discover how a significant number of districts are opting for 'off-list' products and what this…
Commonly Selected High School Math Curricula are Getting Dusty: 3 Key Insights From Our High School Math Report
Explore insights on the state of high school math curricula. While progress in K-8 math curriculum choices is promising, our data reveals key challenges at…
How Targeted Sampling Brings an Equity Lens to Analyzing the Curriculum Landscape
Discover how targeted sampling enhances equity in analyzing the curriculum landscape. Learn how focusing on specific districts, such as those serving historically underserved communities, provides…
Examining the Rise of Open Educational Resources in Math
CEMD's recent math reports reveal a rise in open educational resources (OERs), freely accessible curricula, in the national education market.
Three Things We Love About EdReports’ ‘State of the Instructional Materials Market’ Report
High-quality curriculum matters. Discover three reasons why CEMD is optimistic about EdReports' instructional materials market analysis.
Q&A With CEMD’s Founders: Reflecting on Our Mission to Transform the Education Market and Improve Student Outcomes
Founders Jeff Livingston, Beth Mejia, and Jay Bakhru reflect on CEMD's mission to help district leaders best support underserved students.
Illuminating the District Curriculum Selection Landscape to Drive Systemic Change in K-12 Education
Read to discover how CEMD is bridging the information gap in district curriculum selection to drive systematic change in K-12 education.
What’s Next For EdReports In a Changing K-12 Market?
Chief Academic Officer of EdReports, Courtney Allison, shares about their work and the evolving K-12 education market's need for high-quality curriculum.
The Red Sunset: How Will New Curriculum Adoptions in Key States Impact Students?
Upcoming curriculum adoptions in California and Texas have the potential to generate a ripple effect on the K-12 education market and expand access to high-quality…
The CEMD Impact Core: Why Study These Districts?
Capturing the curriculum selections made by districts creates transparency in the education market. By doing so through CEMD's novel dataset, the Impact Core, we can…
Why Math? Why Now?: The Urgency of Relevant and Engaging Math Education
Now more than ever, teachers need access to high-quality instructional materials to engage students in real-world math education.
Assessing Your District’s Existing Mathematics Instructional Materials to Ensure Equitable Outcomes
Learn how district leaders and educators can partner to ensure equitable outcomes for multilingual learners, specifically with high-quality instructional mathematics materials.
Evaluating Mathematics Curriculum to Ensure Success for Multilingual Learners
High-quality instructional materials are needed to support the instruction of multilingual learners, making learning more accessible and equitable.
A Team Effort: How Parents, Caregivers, and Communities Can Help Tutoring Succeed
When district leaders implemented tutoring programs, logistics were of course considered. Less talked about but perhaps as important to their success was how to engage…
Planning for Sustainability: Maintaining Tutoring Programs in a Post-ESSER World
With ESSER funding ending, learn how K-12 school districts plan to sustain and fund high-impact tutoring programs for underserved students.
Navigating the Tutoring Selection Process for Maximum Impact
How do districts determine whether to use internal or external tutoring partners? Read about key insights, strategies, and important factors to consider.
Why Tutoring? Why Now?: Exploring the Urgency and Impact of Tutoring
The Center for Education Market Dynamics reflects on past conversations with district leaders across the country about their successful tutoring programs. Explore the pressing need…
The Impact Core: The Domino Effect of Driving Change in Just 5% of US School Districts
The Center for Education Market Dynamics has identified 934 districts that represent an outsized percentage of K-12 students, especially the historically marginalized. Read to learn…
Top Five Tips for Driving Impact Through Effective Tutoring
Faced with learning loss after the COVID-19 pandemic, K-12 school districts across the country have turned to high-dosage tutoring. Learn from district leaders about the…
Ensuring Equitable Student Outcomes With High-Impact Tutoring
Equity is often a central theme in a school or district’s decision to implement tutoring. But what does it actually mean to implement an equitable…
