SpringBoard Traditional

Name: SpringBoard Traditional
Brand: College Board

by College Board

MathGrades 9–12

About This Curriculum

Comprehensive high school mathematics curriculum available in print and online formats, offering Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Precalculus courses with integrated AP instructional strategies.

What makes it unique: Uses "Understanding by Design" instructional model with real-world problem scenarios and integrated Advanced Placement strategies; consistent structure across grade levels emphasizing active learning and math literacy development.

SpringBoard Traditional: AP-Integrated High School Math Curriculum

SpringBoard Traditional is a comprehensive high school math curriculum covering Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Precalculus with integrated AP instructional strategies. The curriculum uses the 'Understanding by Design' model and emphasizes mathematical literacy development through real-world applications.

Best for

High school teachers seeking AP-integrated curriculum with strong real-world connections and comprehensive teacher support, particularly in districts prioritizing college readiness over foundational skill mastery

Evaluation Criteria

2 strengths · 3 concerns · 2 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Word ProblemsStrength

Strong emphasis on real-world applications and problem scenarios throughout units.

Curriculum 'incorporating real-world problem scenarios and applications throughout the units'

Teacher TrainingStrength

Comprehensive teacher support including planning guides, pacing guides, and specialized instructional strategies.

Teacher editions include 'planning guides, pacing guides, point-of-use standards correlations, support for implementing AP strategies and meeting diverse student needs'

Direct InstructionConcern

The Understanding by Design model may not align well with direct instruction principles.

Students 'begin by examining assessment questions' rather than receiving explicit teacher-led instruction first

Sequencing ApproachConcern

Uses Understanding by Design model where students examine end assessments first, but EdReports found alignment issues with grade-level standards.

EdReports Gateway 1 rating 'Does Not Meet Expectations' for focus and coherence suggests sequencing problems

Conceptual Procedural BalanceConcern

The curriculum emphasizes mathematical literacy and real-world applications but lacks clear evidence of balanced procedural fluency development.

Focus on 'mathematical literacy development' and 'real-world problem scenarios' suggests conceptual emphasis, but no specific mention of procedural practice

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

Teacher resources include extra practice problems, suggesting some practice opportunities.

Teacher editions provide 'extra practice problems' and 'prerequisite skill lessons' for support

Assessment DiagnosticNeutral

Uses backward design with end assessments but limited evidence of ongoing diagnostic assessment.

Understanding by Design model has students examine 'assessment questions they'll encounter at the end of instruction'

Worked ExamplesInsufficient Evidence

No clear evidence of systematic worked examples in the curriculum design.

Reviews mention 'Understanding by Design' approach and teacher resources but no specific reference to worked examples or modeling

Visual RepresentationsInsufficient Evidence

Limited evidence of visual models or manipulatives in the curriculum approach.

Reviews focus on literacy and real-world applications but do not mention visual representations or concrete-abstract progressions