IMKH California: an IM® v.360 math curriculum is problem-based that fosters the development of mathematics learning communities in classrooms. It gives students access to the mathematics through a coherent progression and offers teachers the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of mathematics, students’ thinking, and their own teaching practice.
Between the Greens
IMKH California
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Program Organization
Discover a math program designed specifically for California educators and students, aligned to the California Mathematics Framework and the California CCSSM. The IMKH California K–12 curriculum goes beyond meeting expectations. It’s built to exceed them, combining rigorous instruction with localized relevance that reflects the diverse needs of classrooms across the state.Kendall Hunt Illustrative Mathematics (KHIM) is IM v.360 published by Kendall Hunt, one of IM’s certified publishers, providing print and PDF versions of the IM materials while preserving the original instructional design.
Strengths & Considerations
Strengths
IMKH may be a strong fit for districts looking for the following strengths:
Scaffolds and support for access
IMKH embeds Mathematical Language Routines (MLRs) explicitly throughout each lesson and names them directly within the teacher materials. These routines are integrated into core instructional sequences to support structured peer discussion, clarification of thinking, and refinement of explanations. Language development is intentionally supported through recurring discourse routines. Differentiation supports appear within lessons under “Access for Differentiation” guidance, offering strategic adjustments for student needs aligned with UDL principles.
Open, engaging tasks
IMKH reflects the CA Math Framework’s vision of open, engaging, and sense-making mathematics. Tasks are cognitively demanding, discourse-centered, and structured to promote reasoning and comparison of ideas. Tasks regularly invite different strategies, encourage representation comparison, and make solution pathways visible.
Assessment tools
IMKH provides aligned lesson cool-downs, end-of-unit assessments, and cumulative tasks that require students to explain reasoning, connect representations, and justify conclusions in writing. Teacher materials include sample responses, guidance for interpreting student work, and structures that support discussion and revision of mathematical thinking. When delivered through the third-party platform ASSISTments, assessments can be assigned digitally with immediate feedback and reporting tools, supporting formative use while maintaining alignment to the core instructional materials.
Planning, Teaching and Teacher Knowledge
IMKH 360 California supports teacher planning and professional knowledge through a clear Course Guide, unit/section overviews, and embedded teacher reflection questions that encourage the examination of mathematical content, pedagogy, and issues of access and equity. The “What’s in an IM Lesson” guidance explains the purpose, structure, and timing of each lesson phase, helping teachers understand the instructional design. At the activity level, “Building on Student Thinking” provides look-fors and targeted questions tied to student strategies and representations, equipping teachers to monitor understanding and advance learning in real time.
Considerations
Districts may want to consider the following when evaluating IMKH.
Language development
IMKH introduces Language Learning Goals in the K–5 program only, and ELD standards are not directly referenced within the materials, instead there is a chart with ELD and SMP alignment. District review teams should examine several consecutive lessons to determine how language development is supported in practice, especially in 6-8. Look for where teachers are guided to monitor students’ use of disciplinary language, provide feedback on explanations or justification, and make language expectations visible to students.
Assessment
Rubrics and scoring guidance prioritize mathematical reasoning, with limited criteria tied directly to disciplinary language use. Digital assessment delivery relies on a third-party platform (ASSISTments), which operates separately from the core instructional materials. District teams should look for guidance that supports teachers in providing feedback on explanation, precision, and representation and review how ASSISTments reporting aligns with district systems.
Print resources
IMKH is a print-forward program, with core materials delivered mainly through teacher guides, student editions, and downloadable PDFs. Districts seeking a fully integrated digital platform with built-in assignment, assessment, and data tools may want to consider how IMKH’s print-centered design aligns with their instructional and technology goals.
Comparison Focus
How Illustrative Mathematics and Classroom Mathematics California Differ
Both IMKH and Classroom Mathematics California are aligned to the California Math Framework and support conceptual understanding and mathematical reasoning, but they differ in structure and implementation design. The strongest choice will always depend on local needs, professional learning structures, the level of instructional coherence already in place and the evidence collected during the review.
Methodology
Methodology Note
Between the Greens reports are narrative analyses developed to surface meaningful differences between closely related curriculum options. They do not score, rank, or endorse programs and should be used in conjunction with local priorities, professional judgment, and additional committee review.