To pumpkin spice or not to pumpkin spice?
Now that the Candy Corn debate is over and done with (I’m on team Candy Corn!), it’s time for the next controversy: Pumpkin Spice.
Love it or hate it (there’s really no in between with this one), it’s that time of year.
One thing I think we can all agree on is that Next Gen Math updates and new features are everyone’s cup of tea. So cozy up with your fall drink of choice and check out what’s brewing this November.
November Specials
Updates and New Features:
- High School Performance Tasks
- Staggered Start Times
- Improved Standards Builder Search
- Customize Prebuilt Assignments
Platform Enhancements
- Section Names: Improved Customization and Visibility
- Share Assignments and Choose a Folder from Assignment Settings
- Drawing and Text Tool Embedded in Interactive Graphs
- High School Readiness in Targeted Intervention
Professional Development Offering:
Menu: Updates and New Features
High School Performance Tasks
Performance Tasks are now available for high school too!
We’re starting with one task per course (plus an 11th Grade CA Test), with more on the way.
Each task includes printable or downloadable student and teacher materials. Teacher resources include background information, academic vocabulary, standards alignments, rubrics, and exemplars.
Great reading material while you sip your hot apple cider!
Learn more: Finding and Using Performance Tasks
Staggered Start Times: Different Sections, Different Schedules, Same Assignments
There are few things more valuable than time, especially for teachers. With Staggered Assignment Schedules, you can save time by setting individual start dates, available times, and due dates for each section or Learning Group without creating separate assignments.
In your Assignment Settings page, choose “By section or learning group” to stagger your start times.
At the bottom of the page, you’ll select the start dates, start and end times, and due dates.
Bonus: Create a template to save even more time!
Why don’t you go get a Pumpkin Spice (or not) Latte with all that extra time!
Learn more: Staggered Assignment Schedules
Improved Standards Builder Search
Speaking of time, who has spare minutes to hover over standards tiles searching for just the right stem? With our latest Standards Builder search improvements, you can find relevant questions faster than ever.
- Improved matching
- Automatic spelling corrections
- Grade, course, and standards searches
- Common abbreviations (GCF, LCD, etc.)
Not sure what to search for? Click the for ideas!
Customize Prebuilt Assignments
Prebuilt, not pre-determined!
Our Diagnostics, Target Practice, and Domain Assessments are designed to save you time by selecting the standards, stems, and number of questions for you.
Now, you can use these assessments as is or customize them to fit your needs!
- Want more questions for a particular stem? Got it.
- Want to swap out a stem? No problem.
- Want to shorten or lengthen the assessment? Easy peasy.
From any assessment card, click Customize to open an editable collection where you can add, remove, or adjust questions.
Add-Ins: Platform Enhancements
Section Name Visibility and Customization Options
Section names just got a little more useful! You can now customize your section names and see them consistently across assignments, dashboards, reports, and Learning Groups.
This is especially helpful if your SSO imports confusing section names. No more guessing which "Math7" is which!
You'll also see section names in two additional places:
- Dynamic printables: Student-specific worksheets display the section beneath the Name line, making papers easier to organize.
- Student results: Section names appear in the Complete and Incomplete results tables, making it easier to identify students when viewing multiple classes.
Learn more: Changing Section Names
Share Assignments and Choose a Folder in Assignment Settings
Another time saver: you can now share assignments and data as you create your assignment.
Keep your assignments organized without the extra clicks! You can now select an Assignment Data folder directly from your Assignment Settings page.
Drawing and Text Tool Embedded in Interactive Graphs
Teachers can now draw and write directly on the Interactive Graph in Conceptual Understanding! Label key features right on the graph while modeling during direct instruction.
Find interactive graphs in Conceptual Understanding.
High School Readiness Added to Targeted Intervention
High school teachers can now access readiness resources through Targeted Intervention! The initial release includes Grade 8 readiness lessons, PDFs, and assignment tools to help address prerequisite skills, with additional modules planned.
*Note: if your site is interested in learning more about the Targeted Intervention program, please contact Kyra Faulk.
Monthly Special: Professional Development
Complimentary Countdown to CAASPP Professional Development
It's never too early to start preparing for CAASPP! Our complimentary, interactive Countdown to CAASPP training includes:
- Instructional strategies for major and supporting standards.
- Insights into SBAC Claims, with a focus on Claim 1: Concepts and Procedures.
- Hands-on practice with NGM tools.
- Using student data to guide practice and build confidence.
Reserve your spot: CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE
Next Gen Math in Numbers
This month, we’ve added the following stems:
- 1st: 5
- 2nd: 2
- 3rd: 2
- 4th: 12
- 5th: 5
- 6th: 18
- 7th: 4
- Algebra 1: 9
- Algebra 2: 11
…for a grand total of 68 new stems!
Wishing you a month of warm drinks with the perfect amount of spice, pumpkin or otherwise.
Written by Sarah Stickle sarah@nextgenmath.com 11/05/2026