Mathematics

State Guidance

Information and guidelines for implementing and improving mathematics programs including content standards and framework, curriculum, materials, and mathematics-related legislation.

Mathematics and High School Graduation Requirements

Mathematics Graduation Requirements
Guidance for minimum graduation requirements for mathematics.

Algebra I/Mathematics I Graduation Requirements
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for Algebra 1 graduation requirements, including information regarding implementation of the Mathematics Placement Policy pursuant to California Education Code (EC) Section 51224.7 during the stay-at-home order.

State Minimum High School Graduation Requirements
Minimum set of courses required for high school graduation for all subject areas. Includes links to High School Graduation FAQs.

Courses Required for California Public University
Summary of courses required for California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) admission.

UC A-G Policy Resource Guide
Information regarding A-G courses from the Regents of the University of California. This resource guide includes the latest updates by subject area, a searchable A-G approved course list, and FAQs.

Note: If a district is moving to an integrated pathway, the UC Office of the President recommends that districts do NOT remove traditional courses that have been A-G approved UNTIL the new integrated courses have been approved for A-G status. The same is true for existing integrated mathematics courses—if districts are proposing revised integrated mathematics courses based on the California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CA CCSSM), they should not remove their existing integrated mathematics courses until the new ones have been A-G approved.

Content Standards and Framework

California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CA CCSSM) (2013)(PDF)
Full text of the CA CCSSM, adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE) August 2010 and modified January 2013. Defines the knowledge, concepts, and skills students should acquire at grade or course level.

California Common Core State Standards (CA CCSS)
Information, guidance, and complete text of the full CA CCSS, across all subject areas.

Mathematics Framework (2023)
At its meeting on July 12, 2023, the SBE adopted the Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (Mathematics Framework). The framework is important guidance designed to help educators align classroom teaching with California’s rigorous math learning standards.

California is committed to achieving excellence in math teaching and learning through curriculum and instructional approaches grounded in research and reflective of best practices across the globe. The Mathematics Framework provides guidance for mathematics learning for all students at all levels of math—including calculus—and ensures students have a wide variety of options including pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in college and career.

A professionally-edited and designed PDF version of the framework will be posted at a later date. The content will not substantively change from the version currently posted.

Mathematics Frameworks FAQs
Information and FAQs about the Mathematics Framework.

Digital Learning Integration and Standards Guidance (Updated 2024)
Guidance to support schools to effectively implement technology to support learning and to address critical areas of instructional focus. Section 121 of Senate Bill (SB) 98, Education Finance: Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill (Chapter 24, Statutes of 2020) called for the development of draft distance learning curriculum and instructional guidance for mathematics, English language arts, and English language development and was adopted by the SBE at their meeting on May 12–13, 2021. Section 118 of SB 144, Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill for the 2023–24 fiscal year, subsequently appropriated funds to update this document to ensure alignment to the 2023 Mathematics Framework.

Instructional Materials Adoption

2025 Mathematics Instructional Materials Adoption (K–8)
At its January 18, 2024, meeting, the SBE formally scheduled a mathematics instructional materials adoption for 2025 by approving a formal notice of intent to hold an adoption and a schedule of significant events. Updates during the adoption process will be accessible through this web page.

2014 Mathematics Adoption
Programs adopted by the SBE on January 15, 2014, organized by the three program types: Basic Grade-Level, Algebra 1, and Mathematics 1.

Legislation

Assembly Bill 484 (Bonilla): Pupil Assessments: Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress (MAPP) was signed into law on October 2, 2013. It establishes California’s student assessment system, known as the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).

SB 359 (Mitchell, Beall, and Hancock): California Mathematics Placement Act of 2015 requires the governing boards or bodies of local educational agencies (LEAs) that serve pupils entering grade nine and that have not already done so to adopt “a fair, objective, and transparent mathematics placement policy” before the beginning of the 2016–17 school year. (LEAs are defined as county offices of education, school districts, state special schools, and charter schools.) The mathematics placement policy must be adopted in a regularly scheduled public meeting.

Instruction

Information and sites with resources relating to mathematics education, and the California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CA CCSSM).

State Resources

California Department of Education (CDE) Quality Professional Learning Standards (QPLS)
The QPLS present the elements of a quality professional learning (PL) system that, if well implemented, will benefit educators focused on increasing their professional capacity and performance. See the QPLS in action through PL Stories: Equity, including one focused on mathematics and equity called the Equity Quality Professional Learning Standard Story.

Distance Learning Mathematics Resources
Guidance and resources for teachers and families in K–12 schools regarding high-quality distance learning can be found under the Content Resources tab.

Recommended Literature List
This searchable list of books supports students, teachers, and parents in finding books that will engage readers of varying skill levels in history-social science, mathematics, science, visual and performing arts, as well as general literature.

External Resources

California Educators Together
Searchable list of PL resources, teacher-developed lesson plans, and events to support the implementation and assessment of the CA CCSSM.

California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) PL Resource Center
Digital PL opportunities, both synchronously and asynchronously, to support educators with authentic problems of practice, including in mathematics.

Assessment & Accountability

Information regarding the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System.

Smarter Balanced Assessment System

Smarter Balanced Assessment System
Provides the latest information about the new generation of mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA) assessments.

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments
Latest information about the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (comprehensive end-of-year assessments) for ELA and mathematics, including scoring and results, guidance for interpreting results, and frequently asked questions.

Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments
Guidance and resources for the Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments, designed to support teaching and learning throughout the year.

Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers
Formative assessment tools, supported by professional learning and instructional resources and aligned with the California Common Core State Standards (CA CCSS) and the California Next Generation Science Standards.

Sample items and performance tasks
Example test questions illustrate the rigor and complexity of the mathematics items and performance tasks that students will encounter on the Smarter Balanced assessments.

Mathematics Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) and College Content-Readiness Policy (PDF)
Articulates the knowledge, skills, and processes expected of students at different levels of performance on the mathematics Smarter Balanced assessments.

Summative Test Blueprints
Description of the content of the mathematics and ELA summative assessments for grades three through eight and high school, as well as how that content will be assessed. Developed with broad input from member states, partners, and stakeholders, the summative test blueprints reflect the depth and breadth of the performance expectations of the CA CCSS.

Partners

Organizations at the state and national level that inform mathematics education and provide resources.

Award Programs

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program
PAEMST honors outstanding science and mathematics teachers who are leaders in the improvement of science and mathematics education. The PAEMST program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Each year, California can recommend up to three state nominees in mathematics teaching and three state nominees in science teaching to the NSF.

California Partners

California Mathematics Council (CMC)
A nonprofit professional organization, the CMC believes that all students have the capacity to become mathematically competent and confident when provided a rigorous and challenging mathematical program supported by high expectations.

California Mathematics Project (CMP)
As part of the University of California's Subject Matter Projects, the CMP is a kindergarten through grade sixteen network dedicated to providing students a rich, rigorous, and coherent mathematics curriculum taught by competent and confident mathematics teachers who foster all students’ proficiency in mathematics—achieving equity in quality.

California Collaborative for Education Excellence (CCEE)
Established by the California State Legislature and Governor to advise and assist school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools achieve the goals and objectives in their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs) through universal, targeted, and intensive supports and resources for local educational agencies (LEAs).

California County Superintendents
Supports a regional system of education support for the California education system, including the Curricular and Improvement Support Committee (CISC) .

• The CISC Mathematics Subcommittee provides collaborative leadership among county offices of education to implement statewide programs, identify and promote quality cost-effective educational practices and services, and to provide support to school districts (including professional learning support).

National Partners

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
A professional organization that supports teachers to ensure equitable mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students through broad national leadership in matters related to mathematics education.

National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM)
A leadership organization that provides opportunities to support mathematics education leadership and to sustain improved student achievement.

Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics (ASSM)
A national group comprised completely of members who are or have served as a state or provincial supervisor of mathematics who also provide Position Statements on a variety of mathematics topics.

TODOS: Mathematics for ALL: Excellence and Equity in Mathematics
An international professional organization that advocates for equity and excellence in mathematics education for ALL students – in particular, Latina/o students. TODOS advances educators’ knowledge, develops and supports education leaders, generates and disseminates knowledge, informs the public, influences educational policies, and informs families about education policies and learning strategies.

Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
A professional organization that focuses on mathematics at the undergraduate level.

Math and Science Partnership Network (MSPnet)
An electronic learning community for the Math and Science Partnership Program that partners institutions of higher education with kindergarten through grade twelve districts and others to improve student performance in mathematics and science.

American Mathematical Society
A professional organization founded to further the interests of mathematical research and scholarship, including careers centered on mathematics.

The Benjamin Banneker Association, Inc.
A national non-profit organization and partner affiliate with the NCTM, dedicated to mathematics education advocacy, establishing a presence for leadership, and professional development to support teachers in leveling the playing field for mathematics learning of the highest quality for African–American students.

Families & Students

Information and resources for parents and guardians that explain mathematics instruction used today and provide suggestions for supporting their child’s academic success.

California Resources

California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CA CCSSM) (2013) (PDF)
These are the state-adopted standards for what students should know and be able to do, understand, and apply by each grade level and higher math course. In this document you will also find introductory information about the standards.

California Common Core State Standards (CA CCSS)
The Student/Parents tab includes brochures, handouts, and other resources for families interested in learning more about the CA CCSSM.

Mathematics Framework (2023)
At its meeting on July 12, 2023, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (Mathematics Framework). The framework is important guidance designed to help educators align classroom teaching with California’s rigorous math learning standards. This web page includes the California Mathematics Framework Summary (DOCX; Updated Jul-2023), which serves as an introduction and highlights essential information and guidance in the Mathematics Framework.

State Investments

Grants and other statewide investments in mathematics professional learning (PL).

2024 Mathematics Professional Learning Partnership (MPLP) Grant
Senate Bill (SB) 153, Chapter 38, Statutes of 2024, Section 114 of the Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill for the 2024–25 California State Budget appropriated the sum of $20 million to the California Department of Education (CDE) to allocate to one or more county offices of education (COEs) or a consortium of COEs to partner with the California Mathematics Project (CMP) to support high-quality mathematics instruction to K–12 pupils throughout the state, pursuant to the 2023 Mathematics Framework.

Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science Professional Learning (MSCS PL) Grant
Assembly Bill (AB) 185, Chapter 571, Statutes of 2022, Section 53 of the Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill for the 2022–23 California State Budget appropriated $50 million to the CDE to allocate to a COE to partner with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools’ California Early Math Initiative (CAEMI) and collaborate with other state-sponsored and nonprofit mathematics, science, and computer science educator training initiatives to support PL in mathematics, science, and computer science.

The California Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science Partnership (CAL-MSCS) is funded through the MSCS PL Grant. The CAL-MSCS is a comprehensive, multi-agency system designed to provide a sustainable, impactful PL infrastructure for mathematics, science, and computer science educators from across the state. The CAL-MSCS vision is to ensure that each and every California educator experiences the PL and support they need to provide a high-quality mathematics, science, and computer science education for all California students.

CAEMI
The CAEMI was established by Provision 3 of Item 6100-195-0890 of the Budget Act of 2018 (Chapter 840 of the Statutes of 2018).

The 2021–22 State Budget package appropriated $45 million to the CAEMI through the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools to continue to provide PL and resources for early math educators through the statewide system of support.

AB 185, Chapter 571, Statutes of 2022, Section 53 of the Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill for the 2022–23 California State Budget appropriated $35 million to the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools to support preschool, transitional kindergarten (TK), kindergarten, and grades one to three and provide professional development and support family engagement in mathematics, science, and computer science for pupils, and to augment the work of the existing CAEMI. These investments fund Count Play Explore (CPE) , a statewide, multi-agency effort across California to promote positive and confident math, science, and computer science outcomes among children from birth to 3rd grade.

For more information regarding the CAEMI or CPE, please contact the CDE’s Early Education Division via email at eedearlymath@cde.ca.gov.

Learning Acceleration System (LAS) Grant
AB 130, Chapter 44 of the Statutes of 2021 appropriated $50 million to Marin County Superintendent of Schools on behalf of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) to administer the LAS Grant to provide, in partnership with one or more COEs, evidenced-based professional education for educators that can support learning acceleration, particularly in mathematics, literacy, and language development. The following projects are funded by this grant:

• California Collaborative for Learning Acceleration (CCLA) : Led by the Santa Clara COE to support math, literacy, and language development through statewide resources and PL that can be accessed by every educator.
• California Literacy Elevation by Accelerating Reading (Project CLEAR) : Led by the San Diego COE to support literacy and language development through a teacher leader course with the goal of expanding availability and access to literacy acceleration, prevention, and intervention for diverse students, including students who are English learners, students in dual language programs, and students with disabilities, including those with dyslexia and/or phonological processing issues.
• Rural Math Collaborative : Co-led by Lake COE and Butte COE to strengthen a system of support for math instruction across the state, specifically supporting and building capacity of small COEs and small local educational agencies through high-quality professional development, PL networks focused on mathematics instruction, coaching, lesson design and lesson study, and intervention support.

California Subject Matter Project (CSMP)
Authorized pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 99200) of Chapter 5 of Part 65 of Division 14 of Title 3 of the California Education Code (EC). The mission of the CSMP is to improve student learning through discipline-specific, research-based, sustained PL, and leadership programs for TK–16 educators across nine subject matter projects, including the CMP .