Wicomico County Public Schools

The case study examines the implementation of Everyday Mathematics in Wicomico County Public Schools, a public school district located in Salisbury, Maryland. The program was introduced districtwide for grades K–5 during the 2016–2017 school year, following a pilot phase across 18 elementary schools. The district serves 14,790 students, with 59.8% qualifying for free and reduced lunch.

Everyday Mathematics provides comprehensive materials and e-tools to support teachers, parents, and students. Features include e-presentations for guided lessons, conceptual models, and tools like fraction circles for interactive learning. The program emphasizes consistency in strategies, vocabulary, and structure across grade levels, addressing challenges such as gaps in learning due to student mobility between schools.

Outcomes were measured using PARCC state summative assessments. Results showed notable improvements in proficiency rates across grades 3–5 one year after implementation. Third-grade proficiency increased from 42.5% in 2016 to 45.5% in 2017, fourth grade rose from 29.5% to 38.2%, and fifth grade improved from 30.3% to 31.7%. Third and fourth grades exceeded state averages by 2.5 and 0.7 percentage points, respectively. Schools transitioning to departmentalized classrooms saw score increases of up to 20%.

The program’s varied approach accommodates different learning styles, reinforces concepts through repeated exposure, and integrates real-world problem-solving. Parents benefited from access to lessons and videos, reducing complaints about Common Core challenges. Overall, Everyday Mathematics contributed to stronger foundational knowledge and improved districtwide performance.</p>