New K-5 Math Curriculum, Eureka Math Squared, to Launch at GIPS in 2026-27
GRAND ISLAND, NE — Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) is venturing into its next era of Mathematics. At this evening’s Board of Education meeting, the Board approved funds for the district to pursue Eureka Math Squared (Eureka²) as the new math curriculum for all elementary students. The rollout is set to begin in the 2026-27 school year, continuing the GIPS commitment to equipping Kindergarten - 5th Grade students to be effective problem solvers and lifelong learners.
The approval follows a comprehensive year-long "Math Curriculum Pilot" conducted during the 2025-26 school year. During this period, the district tested two nationally recognized programs: Amplify Desmos Math (at Starr and Stolley Park Elementary) and Eureka Math Squared (at Lincoln and Newell Elementary).
“When we look at the Nebraska math standards and specific learning outcomes, what we found with our prior resource is that what we were asking students to do just wasn’t at the proficient level we needed.” Dr. Danielle Buhrman, GIPS Math Curriculum Coordinator, explained. “It didn't allow for enough conceptual understanding and making connections between the mathematics. So, we wanted to see what else was out there. Not just to increase the level of cognitive load or the level of the standard outcome, we also wanted to look at what's going to provide an experience for our kids where they're getting to do some problem solving and making connections between strategies.”
After months of classroom observation, teacher feedback, parent engagement, and student performance analysis, the GIPS Math Curriculum Review Team recommended Eureka² for districtwide adoption. The review team, composed of Elementary Teachers, Academic Support Coaches, Principals, and GIPS Curriculum Coordinators, focused on students building deep understanding, engaging in meaningful discourse, and making real-world connections. Overall, this would provide a learning experience that equips students to figure out how math actually works rather than just memorizing procedures.
Keeping this approach in mind aligns with the GIPS current strategic plan which prioritizes measuring student growth.
Why the Change?
The shift comes as the district’s previous resource, Origo Stepping Stones, reached the end of its contract cycle. GIPS Educators identified that Origo was no longer providing the level of rigor needed to fully equip students with the math and problem solving skills they need. Most notably, the need for a more rigorous classroom math experience would better align with updated Nebraska state standards.
“What we want to be able to approach anytime we have a problem, whether you’re a student or an adult, when we see a problem we're trying to solve, we don't have a teacher sitting over our shoulder telling us, ‘Hey, just do this step and then do this step.’” Dr. Buhrman continued, “So in our adult life, we think mathematically all the time, because we have to look at a situation and think about, ‘What do I know? What do I not know about that? What might be the next step, or what might be some things I try, maybe that doesn't work?’ We learn something from it, and then have to try again. Those skills that we need as adults to be problem solvers and mathematical thinkers, we want those same experiences for our kids.”
Key features of the Eureka Math Squared curriculum include:
Moving beyond simple mimicking and memorization to help students explain the logic behind addition, fractions, and equations.
Encouraging students to communicate their mathematical thinking both verbally and in writing.
Utilizing digital interactives and context videos to make abstract math concepts feel relevant to real-world scenarios.
Providing an instructional path that builds skills progressively from Kindergarten through 5th Grade.
For one 5th Grade Teacher, and GIPS Math Committee member, moving to Eureka Math Squared feels like the right move not just for teachers, but for students.
“What I know about Eureka Squared is just that it's a curriculum that really digs into the strategies behind the math, getting kids to understand conceptually what is going on.” Mr. Jason Weseman, 5th Grade Teacher at Howard Elementary, shared. “That was kind of the reason why we made the decision to go towards Eureka, is just because it really digs into the math. It gets kids to have an experience with it and not just do math.”
What is the timeline for implementing and cost the new curriculum?
While the pilot schools (Lincoln and Newell) have already begun using the materials, the remaining eleven GIPS elementary schools will continue with their current curriculum through the remainder of the 2025-26 term.
The full transition plan includes:
Summer 2026 providing professional development and training for all GIPS Elementary staff.
Fall 2026 ready for full implementation of Eureka Math Squared across all 13 GIPS Elementary schools.
The funding amount approved by the Board is $1.55 million over seven years. Initially, the Leading for Learning department budgeted up to $1.7 million, which brings this contract savings to the district.
Funds will help to cover all the materials, resources, and professional learning support required to implement the new curriculum in GIPS Elementary schools. Highlights of what the funds would cover include:
31,500 sets of student materials for 7 years.
324 stes of teacher materials and digital access.
243 manipulative kits.
Targeted interventions for students needing additional support.
Leadership support and professional learning resources.
What will the experience be for students and families?
For students, it comes back to equipping Kindergarten - 5th Graders with what they need to continue growing as confident people and lifelong learners. And for Mr. Weseman, it’s about showing the students that they can do hard things.
“One of the things I always try to do is just connect math to real life and show them where they are going to use this and why it's important. That's the big thing.” Wesman reflected, “I always also try to show the kids that you can do math — you can do hard things. That's one of the things I start day one with, and we do that every day, no matter how hard or easy the math is for the day.”
Online resources are available for families which may be found on the Eureka Math Squared website here.
While the move to Eureka Math Squared will be an adjustment, the district is confident the math experience ahead for Elementary students will champion confidence and lifelong learning. More information and resources will be made available to families through the schools in the coming months.
For more information and to view the official FAQ, community members can visit the GIPS academics page on their website at https://www.gips.org/academics/math-curriculum-pilot-faq.