Brockton School Wins Mathical Collection Development Award
Brockton School District has announced that it has been selected to receive a Mathical Collection Development Award, supporting the expansion of its elementary library collection with high-quality fiction and nonfiction titles that inspire a love of mathematics.
“We are delighted to receive this award to enhance our library’s offerings,” Superintendent Loverty Erickson said. “This isn’t just about adding new books; it’s about encouraging children to discover a love of mathematics by making the subject exciting and accessible for every student through high-quality, award-winning literature.”
Erickson said that the elementary school demonstrated strong growth in mathematics on the 2024– 2025 MAST Statewide Assessment, according to data from the Office of Public Instruction. More than onethird of Brockton Elementary students (over 33 percent) scored proficient or advanced, with an average score of 309; 26 percent of students achieved Advanced status. Among area schools, only Glasgow reported a higher average score at 314. Looking ahead, the district aims to raise ACT Junior Mathematics scores from 14 to 17 this year through a new ACT Math course taught by high school mathematics teacher Dr. Grace Wood. Additionally, a Math Multi-Tiered System of Support course is now available to provide targeted support for students in grades K–12.
“We are grateful to have Mrs. Leona Colvin, K-12 librarian, assist the district in writing this grant,” Erickson said.
Brockton School is one of 36 K–12 Title I school libraries nationwide to receive this year’s $850 grant, designated for the purchase of award-winning titles from the Mathical Book Prize list. The Mathical Collection Development Awards are presented by the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute in partnership with School Library Journal.
Mathical books introduce students to the joy, beauty, and real-world relevance of mathematics through stories that touch on magic, sports, art, music, poetry, biographies, adventure, graphic novels, and picture books. Each year’s Mathical list is selected by a committee of math educators, language arts teachers, librarians, mathematicians, and early childhood specialists, all with the goal of supporting students’ pleasure reading. Brockton School is excited to bring these engaging titles to its young readers.
The Mathical Book Prize is presented by SLMath, in partnership with the National Council of Teachers of English and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and in coordination with the Children’s Book Council. Learn more at mathicalbooks. org.
