District reports early gains and implementation supports for K–5 Eureka Math Squared program

Cathal Lazard, math coordinator for Northborough and Southborough K–5, updated the School Committee on the district’s implementation of Eureka Math Squared at the March 4 meeting, saying the program is in year one of full implementation across elementary classrooms.

Lazard described the program’s emphasis on conceptual understanding using the concrete–pictorial–abstract progression and said district priorities this year have been consistent implementation, job-embedded coaching and family communication. “We designed and reinforce professional learning structures so teachers meet with math coaches to unpack units and the lessons,” Lazard said.

Early indicators include clearer lesson coherence across grades and increased math discourse among students. The district has translated family letters into seven languages to improve access for multilingual families and is piloting an intervention tool called Catalyst for some students who need targeted reinforcement. Lazard noted pacing challenges in year one and said math specialists and teacher leaders are providing on-the-spot coaching to refine pacing and assessment expectations.

Committee members asked about MCAS signal data and early pilot classroom results; Lazard said it’s too soon for statistically significant MCAS changes but noted local teachers reported improved student number sense and growth in pilot classrooms.

The committee thanked staff and highlighted the role of newly added math specialists in supporting teachers during the rollout.