Berkley Schools Adopts New Elementary Math Resource

Aligned with the District’s Mission that student engagement, learning and growth are at the center of all we do, the Teaching and Learning Department completed a two-year pilot program for a new elementary math curricular resource. This pilot involved 16 teachers from across all grade levels and buildings, including Learning Specialists and Resource Room staff. These teachers received professional training and participated in individual coaching sessions, as well as two learning labs that allowed them to observe classroom implementation of resources aligned with the team’s shared vision.

Throughout the pilot, the team collected evidence which culminated in a final evaluation led by an Oakland Schools Continuous Improvement and Mathematics consultant. This process helped guide the team’s recommendation of a new math resource.

At the March Board of Education meeting, the Board approved the adoption of Bridges in Mathematics as the new elementary math curricular resource for the 2025-26 school year and beyond. The Teaching and Learning Department believes Bridges in Mathematics will better equip Berkley Schools students to develop the foundational skills and problem-solving abilities necessary for success in mathematics.

The new curricular resource is designed to:

• Balance conceptual understanding with practical application.
• Offer differentiated learning opportunities to meet the needs of all students.
• Include interactive, engaging content that fosters curiosity and a growth mindset in mathematics.
• Emphasize visual models, reasoning, and discourse to make math engaging and accessible.

Jen Wilcox, Supervisor of Instructional Services shared, “Bridges in Mathematics is a dynamic curriculum that combines direct instruction, structured investigations and hands-on activities to build both conceptual and procedural fluency. This resource aligns perfectly with our vision for students to engage in thinking, sense-making and problem-solving – skills essential for communicating and thinking like mathematicians. The program is fully aligned to the Michigan K-12 Standards for Mathematics.”

Recently, elementary principals participated in a learning day focused on the new resource. They explored the program’s components, observed its use in classrooms, and discussed how to best support teachers in its implementation. Staff training for the new curricular resource will begin in May and will continue throughout the next school year and beyond.

Ms. Wilcox said, “We look forward to the positive impact this new resource will have on our students’ mathematical growth and success.”