“April showers bring May flowers🌼”
…and at Next Gen Math, the proverbial flowers come in the form of exciting new features-no waiting until May required!
By now, you’re either just finishing Spring Break or it’s already a distant memory. But come rain🌧️ or shine☀️, you’re gearing up for what I like to call The Fifth Season of Education: Testing Season.
So grab your favorite umbrella and read on. First, we’ll look at what’s blooming this month, then revisit some NGM features to support your test prep.
‘Tis the season.🌻
Platform Enhancements
☂️133 new (or fixed) Claim 1 stems
☂️12 new Claim 2 stems
☂️4 new Claim 3 stems
☂️59 new instructional videos
New Features
Test Prep Tips & Tricks
☂️3 NGM Features to Boost Test Prep
Reminders
Read on for the details.⬇️
New Features
Teacher Gradebook
Just launched: the Next Gen Math Teacher Gradebook.
You now have one place to go to see both individual and full-class progress on Next Gen Math. The teacher gradebook includes status and assignment averages, as well as scores for individual assignments.
Sort your view by label, status, and type of assignment.
When creating a new assignment, you can choose your assignment type–either classwork or assessment–and easily sort your data for assessments only.
And if you’re especially detail-oriented (Can we be friends?), you can create and sort by your own assignment labels.
Learn More: Teacher Gradebook in the NGM Platform
Assignment View: At-a-Glance Status Information
You’ve likely noticed our Assignment Data page glow-up. What’s more beautiful than meaningful, current, easy-to-find data?
In addition to the previous assignment information, your assignment data page now shows you:
☂️The status of your assignments
☂️Assignment submission data
☂️Your average class score
☂️Timeline information
Pretty as a flower! 🌸
Test Prep Tips & Tricks
Three Next Gen Math Features to Boost Your Test Prep
I’ve said it before (like, a few paragraphs up in this blog) and I’ll say it again: test prep season is real–and it’s here!
Let us hold the umbrella while we show you three go-to features to support your prep.
Tip 1: Custom Student Settings
SBAC assessments include different modifications or accommodations for some students.
For example, some designated ELD students may access portions of the test in Spanish, particularly in math. In addition, some students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) may have access to tools like Text-to-Speech or calculators.*
By using Next Gen Math’s Custom Student Settings, you can provide accurate, SBAC-like practice opportunities for all students. Make these selections in your roster, and then select “Student Setting” in your assignment settings.
Pro Tip: For students in grades 6 and up, make sure to set “Required Stems Only” for all students, and enable “Calculator” for students with an IEP that calls for one.
*Please be sure to discuss specific accommodations with your school or district EL and/or SPED Coordinator
Learn more: Customize Student Settings
Tip 2: Target Practice: Weekly Spiral Review
In a perfect world, test prep starts in September, not April. But every season sneaks up on us, and testing season is no exception.
One way to build spiral review while still teaching new content is by using Next Gen Target Practice assignments.
Here’s a suggested one-week flow for using these 10-question, prebuilt assignments:
- Monday: Assign a Target Practice assignment
- Monday-Friday: Review 2 questions per day
- Friday: Assign a retake and track growth
Pro Tip: Use previous data to choose a GOLD (Major) Target to start with
Tip 3: Performance Tasks
While over half of the CAT portion of the SBAC comes from Claim 1, the performance tasks draw from Claims 2, 3, and 4.
Finding sample Performance Tasks can be like trying to get a Pit Bull (at least mine) to take a walk in April rain.
But not for Next Gen users!
We offer four Performance Tasks per grade level ( K-8), complete with printable student materials and a full teacher’s guide with a sample script.
Pro Tip: The PTs are typically a higher DOK and often draw on previous grade-level standards. Try using a grade level below what you teach for even more practice opportunities!
Reminders
Things to Remember
Secure Browser:
Last month, we shared our new Secure Browser feature in the platform. We’re all set up and ready to go.
To get started in your school or district, reach out to our team.
Targeted Intervention/Summer School
Many districts and schools are planning their summer school offerings.
Our supplemental Targeted Intervention Program has 28 ready-to-go lessons, covering essential standards for grades K-8. It is built to help struggling students catch up all while preventing Summer Brain Drain (that’s the technical term).
➡️Click here for more info or to request a quote
Teacher Office Hours
Remember: You can sign up for small group or individual office hours for Next Gen Math support.
Some possible topics include:
- Platform refresher
- Grade-level planning
- Looking at student data
- Instructional Implementation
- And more!
We wish you a wonderful spring. Jump in puddles, smell the flowers, and keep on keepin’ on. We’ve got your backs.
Written by Sarah Stickle sarah@nextgenmath.com 4/2/2026