High-quality instructional materials like Illustrative Mathematics hold real promise for improving student learning, yet putting them to work effectively remains one of the hardest challenges districts face. Meaningful adoption involves far more than selecting a set of materials. It is a long-term, systemwide process that engages instructional actors across every level of a district, from central office leaders to classroom teachers.

This report draws on interviews with administrators across seven Massachusetts districts to examine how they implemented Illustrative Mathematics in grades 6 through 8. The findings underscore the importance of a shared instructional vision, clear and ongoing communication of expectations, and sustained coaching while highlighting a persistent challenge: Even where teachers use materials with fidelity, Multilingual Learners and students with disabilities may lack the scaffolds they need to access grade-level content. The report offers practical guidance for district leaders, technical assistance providers, and funders.