KCSOS Awarded $20 Million Grant to Lead Statewide Math Instruction Initiative

The Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) announced today it has been awarded a $20 million Mathematics Professional Learning Partnership (MPLP) Grant by the California Department of Education. This investment will fund a statewide initiative designed to strengthen mathematics instruction and outcomes for students across California.

KCSOS will lead a statewide consortium of educational partners — including the California Mathematics Project, several county offices of education, school districts, and institutions of higher education — to deliver high-quality professional development, targeted instructional support, and equity-driven teaching strategies that empower educators and elevate student achievement in mathematics.

“This is more than just a grant — it’s a bold investment in the future of math education across our state,” said Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu. “We are honored to lead this work and grateful for the trust the California Department of Education has placed in us and our partners.”

The MPLP Grant is part of a broader legislative effort to address persistent challenges in math education across California, with the California legislature appropriating $20 million to the California Department of Education to support this initiative. The funds were awarded through a competitive process to a single county office of education — KCSOS — to partner with the California Mathematics Project and develop a statewide professional learning program aligned with California’s 2023 Mathematics Framework.

The grant comes at a critical time. According to the most recent CAASPP standardized assessments results, 35 percent of California students met or exceeded the standard for mathematics in 2024 — with significantly lower proficiency rates among students from historically underserved communities.

Through this initiative, educators will have access to:

• Research-based math content training aligned to California’s frameworks

• Culturally responsive, student-centered instructional practices

• Collaborative learning communities that prioritize educator voice and classroom impact

• Ongoing coaching and mentorship to support implementation and sustainability

“This initiative was built from the ground up in partnership with leaders from across California,” said KCSOS’s Chief Curriculum and Instruction Officer Dr. Cole Sampson, who will oversee the initiative. “We share a commitment to reimagining how math is taught, learned, and loved — especially in communities that have historically been underserved. Together, we’re creating a statewide model for transformative math instruction.”

The MPLP Grant marks a milestone in KCSOS’s long-standing commitment to excellence and equity in education. The initiative will launch later this year.