Redefining California Math Education for the Next Generation
Illustrative Mathematics cares deeply about serving California’s students, educators, and families. After listening to feedback from classrooms across the state, we’ve reimagined our curriculum to create a learning experience that reflects the unique backgrounds, goals, and aspirations of California learners.
Introducing California IM® v.360
IM v.360, the newest and most comprehensive upgrade to our IM® K–12 Math curriculum, is now fully aligned with the California Mathematics Framework.
California IM v.360 gives teachers the tools they need to bring the Framework’s vision to life through a problem-based, engaging, and classroom-centered approach.
Key features include:
- Problem-based lessons: Empower teachers to deliver instruction that is explicit, learnable, and interactive.
- Support for all learners: Thoughtfully designed so every student—English learners, diverse learners, or historically underrepresented groups—has the opportunity to know, use, and enjoy mathematics.
- Real-world relevance: Connects math to authentic contexts, including environmental studies, helping students see how math explains and shapes the world around them.
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Building on a Strong Foundation
The national edition of IM v.360, top-rated on EdReports, already provides a coherent progression of ideas that helps students see mathematics as a connected story.
The California edition extends that work—addressing state-specific standards and priorities so math feels more meaningful, connected, and relevant for California classrooms.
What’s New in the California Edition
We’ve designed California IM v.360 with powerful new features that align directly with the California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CA CCSSM) and California Mathematics Framework:
Big Ideas and Content Connections
Big Ideas highlight the central mathematical concepts that anchor instruction across the year, while Content Connections show where each CA CCSSM domain is addressed and how units integrate related standards across and within grade levels.
Together, they give teachers a clear view of the “big picture” of learning, making it easier to plan lessons, highlight connections, and guide students through a coherent progression of understanding.
Environmental Principles and Concepts (EP&C)
Each course includes EP&C alignments that connect math to real-world environmental and sustainability topics.
Students might explore questions like: How can math model water usage? How can we analyze energy data? How do patterns in climate information help us make decisions?
Supporting English Learners
California IM v.360 includes correlations to the California English Language Development (ELD) Standards, giving teachers practical strategies for language-rich instruction.
These appear in the Advancing Mathematical Language and Access for English Learners section of each Course Guide, helping educators integrate math and language development seamlessly.
New and Adjusted Lessons
Some optional activities in the national edition are now required in the California edition to reflect CA-specific priorities, while new lessons expand opportunities for reasoning, representation, and sense-making.
These enhancements ensure that California IM v.360 remains grounded in what works while evolving to meet the state’s vision for math learning.
Why California Educators Choose California IM v.360
Deep alignment with the California Mathematics Framework and CA CCSSM
Proven, problem-based pedagogy that engages students and builds understanding
Comprehensive professional learning through IM and IM Certified® partners
Commitment to access and opportunity, ensuring every student can thrive in math
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are all California IM v.360 courses available?
The following California IM v.360 courses are now available: K–8, Algebra 1, and Integrated 1
Coming soon: Algebra 2, Geometry, Integrated Math 2, and Integrated Math 3
What new features are in the national edition of the IM v.360 curriculum?
We made upgrades, enhancements, and revisions to the IM v.360 curriculum in response to the needs of teachers, school leaders, and students.
Upgrades to the K–5 curriculum include:
- NEW! Language Learning Goals, End of Unit Guidance, Checklist Guidance
- Strengthened representations of diverse cultures
- Revisions to the Course Guide content, Instructional Routines, and blackline masters
- And more!
Upgrades to the 6–12 curriculum include:
- NEW! Narrative Structures, Section-level Assessments (Checkpoints), Instructional Goals, and Teacher Reflection Questions
- Embedded guidance for building a classroom community
- Embedded Math Language Routines and revised Instructional Routine language, including for 5 Practices activities
- Revised context and activity launches to invite more students into the mathematics, including more representations of diverse cultures
- Revised lesson contexts to align with the California framework, including environmental literacy enhancements
- And more!
Where can I get more information?
Our Partner & Client Support Team is available to answer any questions you may have about California IM v.360. Click here to schedule a call for a one-on-one meeting.
What does IM v.360 mean?
We named the new edition of our curriculum “IM v.360” to distinguish this version from previous versions. The number “360” is all-embracing, all-encompassing, and all-inclusive. Similarly, IM v.360 is coherent, inclusive, and all-encompassing. It invites students to the math through engaging contexts and problems relevant to students’ experiences. We are proud to say that IM v.360 is the next evolution of our curriculum products!
IM® Certified curriculum distribution partners
The following versions of California IM v.360 from our IM Certified® curriculum distribution partners are included on the California State Board of Education’s approved list of High-Quality Instructional Materials, providing districts with added confidence in their adoption decisions:
- Imagine Learning, LLC: Imagine IM California (K–6, 6–8, Algebra 1, & Integrated Math 1)
- Kendall Hunt Publishing Company: IMKH California (K–5, 6–8, Algebra 1, & Integrated Math 1)
- Kiddom: Kiddom IM v.360 California (K–5, 6–8, & Algebra 1)
Stay Connected with California IM v.360
Join the growing movement of educators transforming math classrooms across the state with IM’s high-quality curriculum!
Whether you’re exploring IM for the first time or preparing for a pilot, our team can help you design an implementation path that aligns with your district’s goals.
Receive the latest news, resources, and support for bringing California IM v.360 to your classroom.
A Playful Start with IM® Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Math
Teaching early math is anything but simple—and getting it right sets the foundation for lifelong mathematical thinking. IM TK Math combines play, exploration, and problem-solving to help young learners begin forming a positive math identity.
Built to align with the California Mathematics Framework and the developmental needs of transitional kindergartners, IM TK Math supports teachers in creating joyful, hands-on learning experiences that connect to children’s natural wonder about the world.
Schools and districts will always have free access to IM v.360 on our website under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license. In order to ensure alignment with our design principles and instructional model, providers wishing to make commercial use of the materials will need to obtain a commercial license. Please direct enquiries about commercial licensing to [email protected].
