Common Core Coach

by School Specialty, Inc.

MathGrades 3–8

About This Curriculum

Standards-based supplementary math practice materials aligned to Common Core State Standards, providing instruction, practice, and assessment at different stages of instruction for grades 3-8.

What makes it unique: Aligned to CCSS with differentiated content and flexible implementation options for whole group, small group, or individual student support.

Common Core Coach: Standards-aligned supplementary practice materials

Common Core Coach is a supplementary math curriculum from School Specialty designed for grades 3-8 that provides standards-based instruction, practice, and assessment materials aligned to Common Core State Standards. The program uses a traditional approach to deliver content across different stages of instruction.

Best for

Schools seeking supplementary Common Core-aligned practice materials with traditional instruction methods, though significant concerns about rigor and coherence limit effectiveness

Evaluation Criteria

3 concerns · 2 neutral · 4 insufficient evidence

Word ProblemsConcern

The curriculum appears to have limitations in systematic word problem instruction.

EdReports' 'Does Not Meet Expectations' rating for mathematical practices suggests inadequate coverage of application problems and real-world contexts

Sequencing ApproachConcern

The curriculum lacks proper focus and coherence in its sequencing approach.

EdReports rated Gateway 1 (Focus & Coherence) as 'Does Not Meet Expectations,' suggesting problems with alignment to grade-level standards and focus on major mathematical work

Conceptual Procedural BalanceConcern

The curriculum does not adequately balance conceptual understanding with procedural fluency according to EdReports evaluation.

EdReports rated Gateway 2 (Rigor & Mathematical Practices) as 'Does Not Meet Expectations,' indicating insufficient balance between conceptual understanding, procedural skill, and application

Direct InstructionNeutral

The traditional pedagogy approach suggests some support for direct instruction methods.

Curriculum description indicates a traditional pedagogical approach, which typically aligns with direct instruction principles

Assessment DiagnosticNeutral

The curriculum includes assessment materials as part of its supplementary approach.

Program description mentions assessment components alongside instruction and practice materials at different stages of instruction

Worked ExamplesInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence available to assess the use of worked examples in this math curriculum.

No specific information provided about worked examples or step-by-step modeling in the available reviews

Teacher TrainingInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence available to assess teacher training and professional development materials.

No specific information provided about teacher guides, professional development, or instructional support materials in the available reviews

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence available to assess retrieval practice and spaced review implementation.

No specific information provided about cumulative review, retrieval practice, or spaced repetition in the available reviews

Visual RepresentationsInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence available to assess the effectiveness of visual models and manipulatives.

No specific information provided about visual representations or concrete-representational-abstract progression in the available reviews

Sources: edreports.org

Review Sources

edreports

EdReports Panel

Gateway 1 Alignment:Does Not Meet Expectations
Gateway 2 Alignment:Does Not Meet Expectations
Key Facts
GradesGrades 3–8
SubjectMath
PedagogyTraditional
Faith-BasedNo
FormatDigital + Physical

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: edreports