State Board of Education Adopts Timeline for New Common Core Math Materials
Schools Chief Torlakson Seeks to Have New Texts Ready for Students by Fall 2014
SACRAMENTO—California will begin its review of instructional materials based on the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics this year to provide students with new print and digital materials by the fall of 2014, under a timeline approved today by the State Board of Education.
At the recommendation of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, the Board approved an accelerated timeline for the review and adoption of new materials to assist schools in the transition to the new standards, which are designed to help students learn step-by-step the skills they need for college and a career.
"Today's action keeps the remodeling of California's education system on track to prepare students for the challenges of a constantly changing world and the jobs of the 21st century," Torlakson said. "Moving forward now brings us closer to the goals of ensuring that all students get the world-class education they deserve and achieve the proficiency in mathematics California's businesses need from their employees."
The Board also approved the appointment of 105 instructional materials reviewers and 11 content review experts to help in the review of some math materials. The appointees are teachers and math professors from around the state. The role of the instructional materials reviewers is to see if the submitted materials align with the content standards and the evaluation criteria adopted by the Board. The role of the content review experts is to confirm that the instructional materials are mathematically accurate and based on current and confirmed research. The reviewers will receive training in late spring.
The timeline calls for the Instructional Quality Commission to lead in the training of reviewers this June and for publishers to submit instructional materials for review this July. The Commission will reconvene the reviewers in September and facilitate a report of findings. The Commission will then hold public meetings to discuss the findings and provide recommendations. The Board will take action on the Commission's recommendations in January 2014, providing time for schools to purchase new materials in time for the start of the new school year of 2014—15.
The Board also approved the reviewer training materials that were recommended by the Commission.
For a complete list of the schedule of events and appointees, visit the State Board of Education Item 8 (DOC) Web page.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100