Anyone responsible for the curriculum review and selection process within a district will find this book essential reading.

"Many new mathematics curricula have been developed in response to the 1989 release of Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. These Standards-based curricula focus on helping students develop a conceptual understanding of mathematics through meaningful problem-solving activities, and are fundamentally different from traditional curricula which emphasize learning and practicing algorithms for computational fluency. The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether or not school districts can feel confident in choosing a Standards-based curriculum instead of a traditional curriculum. This research show that Standards-based curricula can be just as effective as traditional curricula in helping students -- including disadvantaged students or students with special needs -- learn important mathematical concepts and processes with understanding, especially when the teachers who are using them in their classrooms follow proven implementation guidelines."--leaf 3.

The Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in 1989 set forth a broad vision of mathematical content and pedagogy for grades K-12 in the United States. These Standards prompted the development of Standards-based mathematics curricula. What features characterize Standards-based curricula? How well do such curricula work? To answer these questions, the editors invited researchers who had investigated the implementation of 12 different Standards-based mathematics curricula to describe the effects of these curricula on students' learning and achievement, and to provide evidence for any claims they made. In particular, authors were asked to identify content on which performance of students using Standards-based materials differed from that of students using more traditional materials, and content on which performance of these two groups of students was virtually identical. Additionally, four scholars not involved with the development of any of the materials were invited to write critical commentaries on the work reported in the other chapters. Section I of Standards-Based School Mathematics Curricula provides a historical background to place the current curriculum reform efforts in perspective, a summary of recent recommendations to reform school mathematics, and a discussion of issues that arise when conducting research on student outcomes. Sections II, III, and IV are devoted to research on mathematics curriculum projects for elementary, middle, and high schools, respectively. The final section is a commentary by Jeremy Kilpatrick, Regents Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Georgia, on the research reported in this book. It provides a historical perspective on the use of research to guide mathematics curriculum reform in schools, and makes additional recommendations for further research. In addition to the references provided at the end of each chapter, other references about the Standards-based curriculum projects are provided at the end of the book. This volume is a valuable resource for all participants in discussions about school mathematics curricula--including professors and graduate students interested in mathematics education, curriculum development, program evaluation, or the history of education; educational policy makers; teachers; parents; principals and other school administrators. The editors hope that the large body of empirical evidence and the thoughtful discussion of educational values found in this book will enable readers to engage in informed civil discourse about the goals and methods of school mathematics curricula and related research.

With the publication of the National Science Education Standards and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics, a clear set of goals and guidelines for achieving literacy in mathematics and science was established. Designing Mathematics or Science Curriculum Programs has been developed to help state- and district-level education leaders create coherent, multi-year curriculum programs that provide students with opportunities to learn both mathematics and science in a connected and cumulative way throughout their schooling. Researchers have confirmed that as U.S. students move through the grade levels, they slip further and further behind students of other nations in mathematics and science achievement. Experts now believe that U.S. student performance is hindered by the lack of coherence in the mathematics and science curricula in many American schools. By structuring curriculum programs that capitalize on what students have already learned, the new concepts and processes that they can learn will be richer, more complex, and at a higher level. Designing Mathematics or Science Curriculum Programs outlines: Components of effective mathematics and science programs. Criteria by which these components can be judged. A process for developing curriculum that is structured, focused, and coherent. Perhaps most important, this book emphasizes the need for designing curricula across the entire 13-year span that our children spend in elementary and secondary school as a way to improve the quality of education. Ultimately, it will help state and district educators use national and state standards to design or re-build mathematics and science curriculum programs that develop new ideas and skills based on earlier onesâ€"from lesson to lesson, unit to unit, year to year. Anyone responsible for designing or influencing mathematics or science curriculum programs will find this guide valuable.

Results from national and international assessments indicate that school children in the United States are not learning mathematics well enough. Many students cannot correctly apply computational algorithms to solve problems. Their understanding and use of decimals and fractions are especially weak. Indeed, helping all children succeed in mathematics is an imperative national goal. However, for our youth to succeed, we need to change how we're teaching this discipline. Helping Children Learn Mathematics provides comprehensive and reliable information that will guide efforts to improve school mathematics from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The authors explain the five strands of mathematical proficiency and discuss the major changes that need to be made in mathematics instruction, instructional materials, assessments, teacher education, and the broader educational system and answers some of the frequently asked questions when it comes to mathematics instruction. The book concludes by providing recommended actions for parents and caregivers, teachers, administrators, and policy makers, stressing the importance that everyone work together to ensure a mathematically literate society.

Helping teachers prepare elementary students to master the common core math standards With the common core math curriculum being adopted by forty-three states, it is imperative that students learn to master those key math standards. Teaching the Common Core Math Standards with Hands-On Activities, Grades 3-5 is the only book currently available that provides activities directly correlated to the new core curriculum for math. This text assists teachers with instructing the material and allows students to practice the concepts through use of the grade-appropriate activities included. Students learn in different ways, and Teaching the Common Core Math Standards with Hands-On Activities, Grades 3-5 acknowledges that fact through the inclusion of suggestions for variations and extensions of each concept to be used for students with different abilities and learning styles. The activities and lessons are as diverse as the students in your classroom. Inside Teaching with Common Core Math Standards With Hands-On Activities Grades 3-5, you will find: Clear instructions to help you cover the skills and concepts for the new math core curriculum Engaging activities that enforce each core math standard for your students Various suggestions for ways to instruct the concepts to reach the diverse learning styles of your students Complete coverage of mathematical calculations, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving strategies appropriate for grades 3-5 Teaching the Common Core Math Standards with Hands-On Activities, Grades 3-5 prepares students to achieve success in the important area of mathematics. As your students gain an understanding of the common core standards, they will build confidence in their ability to grasp and manipulate mathematical concepts as they move forward to the next level.

This easy-to-read summary is an excellent tool for introducing others to the messages contained in Principles and Standards.