K12 Math Forum

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K-12 Math Forum

• February 9, 2008
• Spokane Public Schools
• Spokane, WA

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• Why new math standards?
• 2007 Legislature passed HB 1906 calling for
• State Board review and OSPI revision of math
  standards
• 7 specific recommendations from Strategic
  Teaching
• Math curricula options
• Professional development for teachers
• To improve math teaching and learning in the
  state

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• State Board of Education
• Standards Recommendations
• Set higher expectations for Washingtons students
  by fortifying content and increasing rigor.
• Make clear the importance of all aspects of
  mathematics mathematics content, including the
  standard algorithms the conceptual understanding
  of the content and the application of
  mathematical processes within the content.
• Identify those topics that should be taught for
  extended periods at each grade level and better
  show how topics develop over grade levels.

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• Standards Recommendations (cont.)
• Increase the clarity, specificity, and
  measurability of the Grade Level Expectations.
• Write Essential Academic Learning Requirements
  that restructure the standards document to
  clarify grade-level content priorities and that
  reflect both the conceptual and procedural sides
  of mathematics.
• Create a standards document that is easily used
  by most people.
• Create small, expert Standards Revision Teams for
  each grade band and systemically collect feedback
  on the revised standards.

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• Standards Revision Process
• Sept. 2007 Final State Board of Education report
  and recommendations
• Oct. 2007 Jan 2008 Standards revision teams
  draft revised standards and solicit feedback
• Jan. Feb. 2008 OSPI presents revised math
  standards to WA Legislature

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• OSPI Commitment
• This work will be generated by Washington
  educators, Washington mathematicians and
  Washington citizens.
• The revised math standards will balance
• 1) Washingtons unique strengths and needs with
• 2) expert advice from mathematicians and
  practicing educators and
• 3) conformity to national directions.
• The strengths of the current math Grade Level
  Expectations will be preserved, while addressing
  the SBE recommendations.

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• Characteristics of the Revised Math Standards
• Emphasis on depth and focus
• Less repetition across grades, but coherence
  and development across grades
• Descriptive paragraphs help communicate to a
  broad audience what math is to be learned and how
  mathematical knowledge and skills fit together
• Avoids prescription of instructional
  approaches describes mathematical content to be
  learned

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• Standards Format
• 3 4 Core Content Priorities in paragraphs
• Plus
• Performance Expectations with Explanatory
  Comments and/or Examples when necessary
• Additional Content

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• Math Standards Example
• Grade 2
• 2. Core Content Addition and subtraction
• (Strands Operations, Algebra)
• Students apply their understanding of number
  relationships and the operations of addition and
  subtraction as they learn their addition and
  subtraction facts. They extend this knowledge by
  adding and subtracting two-digit numbers.
  Students learn the importance of estimation and,
  in particular, its uses in determining whether a
  sum or difference is reasonable.
• See Page 16 in the Review Draft.

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• Next steps
• A Review Draft was posted on January 21.
• From January 21-29, a variety of groups
  commented on the Review Draft. This included
  attendees at the January Conference in Spokane.
  The pre-session at the Conference provided a full
  day opportunity for understanding and specific
  feedback
• Final revisions will be made prior to
  submission of the Revised Mathematics Standards
  to the Legislature.

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• Next steps continued
• Align state assessments with the revised
  standards
• Recommend basic K-12 math curricula by May 15,
  2008
• Roll out standards to teachers and parents
• Provide training and professional development
  opportunities for teachers, Summer 2008 and
  2008-2009 school year

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• For more information
• OSPI Web site - www.k12.wa.us