Math News

Applicants to serve on the Mathematics CFCC - The CDE and SBE are recruiting applicants for the Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee (CFCC) to assist with the revision of theMathematics Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (Mathematics Framework).  The Mathematics Framework will be revised to incorporate and support the CCSS for Mathematics. The CFCC will include between 9 and 20 members who will be selected to ensure balanced representation of regions, mathematical content knowledge, and grade-level experience. The committee will meet up to six times, with meetings tentatively scheduled from September 2012 through February 2013.  More details about the responsiblities of serving as a CFCC member and the application are available on the CDE Mathematics Curriculum Framework Web page at:

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/cf.

The deadline for submission of the application is April 18, 2012.

 

 

Link to Two CCSS Mathematics Resources - Two additional resources for the CCSS Mathematics have been added under the "Resources from CCSS Partners" section, "CCSSO/Multi-State Resources" page. A link has been added to Inside Mathematics (http://insidemathematics.org) (Outside Source), a site that features classroom examples of innovative teaching methods and insights into student learning and tools for mathematics instruction. To illustrate the CCSS for Mathematical Practice, links are provided for each individual practice standard correlated to excerpts of mathematics lessons. Another added link is to The Illustrative Mathematics Project (http://illustrativemathematics.org) (Outside Source). This project aims to illustrate each of the standards using high-quality reviewed tasks from teacher leaders. The site provides guidance to all stakeholders implementing the CCSS by illustrating the range and types of mathematical work that students will experience and other implementation tools. The Web site continues to be updated, with illustrated standards added on a regular basis. Contributors and advisors to the project include common core authors William McCallum, Jason Zimba, and Phil Daro.
 
March 7, 2012 Celebrates World Maths Day
An online Math Competition.  Teachers may sign students to be involved.  Students get to compete against students from all over the world.  Be sure to check out the registration dates.
 
March 14 Celebrates Pi Day-An International Celebration that was initiated in San Francisco. 

Click Pi Day to find out more
 

Link to Achieve the Core Web site - Another addition to the "CCSSO/Multi-State Resources" page is a link to Achieve the Core (http://www.achievethecore.org/) (Outside Source).

This MUST-SEE Web site was created by the CCSS authors and other contributors to provide free, high-quality resources to educators implementing the CCSS. Resources will continually be added and include implementation tools, webinars, articles, sites, and research. Two first-step tools to "steal" include a guide to creating questions for close analytic reading and another focusing on math shifts, key fluencies, and the major work of each grade.

 

AB 250 (Brownley) establishes a process to begin implementation of the common core academic content standards through the development of curriculum frameworks and professional development aligned with the common core English-language arts and mathematics standards.

The bill requires the SBE to adopt a new Common Core State Standards (CCSS)-based mathematics framework by May 30, 2013, and a new framework in English-language arts by May 30, 2014.

This bill extends the operative date of the state’s assessment system by one year – from July 2013 to July 2014, continuing the existing Standardized Testing and Reporting assessment system until July 2014, and gives the Legislature the opportunity to examine common assessment initiatives.

This bill requires the SSPI, in consultation with the SBE and a wide range of stakeholders, to make recommendations to the Legislature by November 1, 2012, regarding a plan for transitioning to a system of high-quality assessments that are aligned to CCSS and provides a definition of high-quality assessments.

Assembly Bill 250 (Chapter 608, Statutes of 2011) was signed on October 8, 2011 and takes effect on January 1, 2012. One significant change is to rename the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission (Curriculum Commission) to the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC). Some of the first activities of the IQC will be revising curriculum frameworks and evaluation criteria aligned to the Common Core State Standards with California additions (CCSS) for mathematics and English language arts. The bill requires State Board of Education (SBE) policies to ensure that the English language arts curriculum frameworks for kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) and instructional materials for kindergarten through grade eight (K-8) include the English language development standards and English language development strategies in the core subjects of mathematics, science, and history-social science. The bill also requires SBE policies to ensure that curriculum frameworks for K-12 and instructional materials for K-8 include strategies to address the needs of pupils with disabilities in the subjects of mathematics, science, history-social science, and English Language Arts.

The California Department of Education is recruiting focus group members for the revision o fthe mathematics framework for California Public Schools, K-12. For more information, click here.

 


The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the Nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. Since 1983, more than 4,100 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. If you know great teachers, nominate them to join this prestigious network of professionals. The 2012 Awards will honor math and science teachers working in grades K-6.

Save your enthusiasm for teachers of grades 7-12 for the 2013 Awards.

 

 

SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Mathematics Content Specifications
Feedback Opportunity on the draft specifications that will be used to inform test development for the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). The press release, content specifications, user guide, and survey can be found on the SMARTER Balanced.

 

Key dates for the review of the draft content specifications include:
• Early November: Math content specifications released (round 2)
• Mid-November: Feedback due on math content specifications (round 2)
• Late November: Final math content specifications released

 

SB 140 (Lowenthanl) requires the CDE, on a one time basis, to develop a list, on or before July 1, 2012, of supplemental instructional materials (SIMs) for use in kindergarten through seventh grade that are aligned with California’s common core academic content standards in mathematics, and for use in kindergarten through eighth grade that are aligned with California’s common core academic content standards in English-language arts. It also requires the SBE to approve or reject the list of SIMs developed by the CDE by September 30, 2012. This measure ensures that SIMs provide a bridge between the common core academic content standards and the instructional materials currently being used by local educational agencies.