An training vendor has requested metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander to analyze whether or not the Division of Training’s buy of the controversial “Illustrative Math” curriculum unfairly sidestepped bidding guidelines.
“It appears that DOE did not follow any procurement process before selecting Illustrative Mathematics” for its $34 million “NYC Solves” initiative, writes Sean Mulcahy, senior vice-president of New Jersey-based Savvas Studying Firm in a Nov. 26 letter obtained by The Publish.
“While multiple curricula companies would normally have had the opportunity to submit proposals, it appears the DOE selected Illustrative Mathematics with no competing bids or procurement process,” says the competitor’s letter, first reported by Politico.
Lander declined to remark, however officers instructed The Publish his workplace has no document of any present or potential contracts for Illustrative Math, which is revealed by Think about Studying.
Mayor Adams and then-Chancellor David Banks introduced the launch of NYC Solves in June to deal with lagging math scores, with half of scholars in grades 3-8 not proficient in 2023.
The initiative started with 265 excessive faculties piloting Illustrative Math for algebra, however many academics hated the tightly scripted lesson plans, inflexible schedule, and requirement that college students work in teams to “discover” and remedy math issues with little instructor enter.
Regardless of a citywide decline on the Algebra 1 Regents exams this 12 months, the DOE mandated using Illustrative Math in all however six of 420 excessive faculties.
In a press release Saturday, the DOE mentioned it “has complied with all procurement policies and procedures,” and that it evaluated Savvas amongst corporations that responded to a public “Request for Information” on math curricula.
The DOE didn’t cite any aggressive bidding for the algebra curriculum.
