Amplify Classroom vs Illustrative Mathematics

Amplify Classroom is a web teaching platform for K–12 math, literacy, and science, with more than 1,000 free interactive lessons. Its teacher dashboard shows student responses and thinking in real time. Teachers can pause a lesson or move every student screen forward together, and select and sequence student work for anonymous class discussion. They can copy and edit existing lessons or create new ones with a drag-and-drop builder. Class tools support multiple classes, co-teachers, and roster organization. The free account provides teaching tools and lessons without a district license or subscription. Integrations include Google sign-in, Google Classroom roster imports, and Clever rostering for Amplify customers; Amplify also lists connections with Canvas, ClassLink, D2L, SchoolDay, Safari Montage, and Schoology. The platform is designed to facilitate compliance with student-data privacy laws. Amplify encrypts student data in transit and at rest, and its information-security program uses NIST frameworks and controls. Annual SOC 2 Type 2 examinations cover relevant security controls. Some Amplify Desmos Math and Amplify CKLA content requires a school or district subscription.

Illustrative Mathematics provides IM Math, a problem-based core mathematics curriculum for transitional kindergarten through grade 12. The IM Math v.360 sequence runs from transitional kindergarten through Algebra 2. Lessons ask students to solve meaningful problems, explain their reasoning, compare strategies, and connect mathematical ideas across lessons, units, courses, and grades. Built-in resources include discussion routines, support for English learners and students with disabilities, unit assessments, session checkpoints, and lesson cool-downs. AccessIM provides the complete curriculum online for free, with implementation resources and downloadable, printable PDFs for teachers and students, without a time limit. The curriculum aligns with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Schools can obtain print materials and enhanced digital platforms through IM Certified partners such as Imagine Learning, Kendall Hunt, and Kiddom. Partner platforms may add rostering, assignments, reporting, and progress monitoring.