CALIFORNIA GETS NEW MATH STANDARDS, BUT DO THEY ADD UP
In a move that has left many scratching their heads, California has rolled out new state math guidelines that aim to put meaning-making at the center of the math classroom. The guidelines promote a focus on problem-solving and applying math knowledge to real-world situations, but critics are asking: do they add up?
The new guidelines, which were approved by the California State Board of Education in July 2023, emphasize equity and inclusion, calling for all students to have access to rigorous and high-quality math instruction, regardless of their background or zip code. But some are concerned that this focus on social justice in math lessons could hold back more advanced high school students.
"Are we really going to teach calculus through the lens of environmental justice?" asked one concerned parent. "I mean, I'm all for saving the planet, but I don't want my kid to flunk out of college because they didn't learn the basics."
Despite these concerns, proponents of the new guidelines argue that they reflect a growing understanding of how students learn math and the importance of equity and inclusion in math education. They also believe that the guidelines will lead to more rigorous and engaging math instruction for all students.
"The old way of teaching math just wasn't working for everyone," said Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the California State Board of Education. "We need to be more creative and flexible in our approach if we want to help all students succeed."
So what exactly are these new California math guidelines? Here are some of the key features:
- - Focus on problem-solving: Students are encouraged to use their math knowledge to solve real-world problems, such as figuring out how much paint they need to cover a wall or how much money they need to save for a car.
- - Emphasis on equity and inclusion: The guidelines call for all students to have access to rigorous and high-quality math instruction, regardless of their background or zip code. This includes providing support for students who are struggling and ensuring that all students have access to the same resources.
- - Shift to conceptual understanding: The guidelines shift away from a focus on memorizing math facts and procedures and towards a focus on conceptual understanding. Students are encouraged to understand the why behind the math, not just the how.
- - Use of technology: The guidelines encourage the use of technology in math instruction. Technology can be used to help students solve problems, visualize concepts, and collaborate with others.
While these new guidelines may sound good in theory, there are some challenges that may be faced in implementing them. For example:
- - Teacher training: Teachers will need to be trained on the new guidelines and how to implement them in their classrooms. This could be a challenge, as there is a shortage of math teachers in California.
- - Parental buy-in: Some parents may be resistant to the new guidelines, as they may be unfamiliar with the focus on problem-solving and conceptual understanding. It will be important to communicate the benefits of the new guidelines to parents and to get their support.
- - Cost: The new guidelines may require additional resources, such as funding for professional development and technology. It will be important to ensure that all schools have the resources they need to implement the new guidelines.
Despite these challenges, it's clear that the new California math guidelines are a step in the right direction. They reflect a growing understanding of how students learn math and the importance of equity and inclusion in math education. And who knows? Maybe we'll finally figure out how much paint we need to cover that stubbornly uneven wall.
THE DEFT DIVE
FROM BARD AI
Yes, California is rolling out new state math guidelines. The new guidelines, which were approved by the California State Board of Education in July 2023, aim to put meaning-making at the center of the math classroom, promoting a focus on problem-solving and applying math knowledge to real-world situations.
The new guidelines also emphasize equity and inclusion, calling for all students to have access to rigorous and high-quality math instruction, regardless of their background or zip code.
Here are some of the key features of the new California math guidelines:
- * **Focus on problem-solving:** The new guidelines emphasize the importance of problem-solving in math education. Students are encouraged to use their math knowledge to solve real-world problems, such as figuring out how much paint they need to cover a wall or how much money they need to save for a car.
- * **Emphasis on equity and inclusion:** The new guidelines call for all students to have access to rigorous and high-quality math instruction, regardless of their background or zip code. This includes providing support for students who are struggling and ensuring that all students have access to the same resources.
- * **Shift to conceptual understanding:** The new guidelines shift away from a focus on memorizing math facts and procedures and towards a focus on conceptual understanding. Students are encouraged to understand the why behind the math, not just the how.
- * **Use of technology:** The new guidelines encourage the use of technology in math instruction. Technology can be used to help students solve problems, visualize concepts, and collaborate with others.
The new California math guidelines are a significant departure from the previous guidelines. They reflect a growing understanding of how students learn math and the importance of equity and inclusion in math education.
The rollout of the new guidelines is still in its early stages. However, it is expected to have a significant impact on math education in California. The new guidelines are likely to lead to more rigorous and engaging math instruction for all students.
Here are some of the challenges that may be faced in implementing the new California math guidelines:
- * **Teacher training:** Teachers will need to be trained on the new guidelines and how to implement them in their classrooms. This could be a challenge, as there is a shortage of math teachers in California.
- * **Parental buy-in:** Some parents may be resistant to the new guidelines, as they may be unfamiliar with the focus on problem-solving and conceptual understanding. It will be important to communicate the benefits of the new guidelines to parents and to get their support.
- * **Cost:** The new guidelines may require additional resources, such as funding for professional development and technology. It will be important to ensure that all schools have the resources they need to implement the new guidelines.
Despite these challenges, the new California math guidelines are a step in the right direction. They have the potential to improve math education for all students in California.
FROM BING AI
Sure, I'll do a deep dive on the new state math guidelines in California. Here are some key points that I found from my web search:
- - The new math framework was approved by the California State Board of Education on July 12, 2023, after four years of work and multiple revisions based on public feedback¹⁶.
- - The new math framework aims to align classroom teaching with the California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, which are rigorous learning standards that detail what every student should know and be able to do at every grade level¹⁶.
- - The new math framework emphasizes equity and excellence in math learning for all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, disability, language, or socioeconomic status¹⁶⁷⁸.
- - The new math framework provides strategies to challenge, engage, and support all students in deep and relevant math learning by building on successful approaches used in nations that produce high and equitable achievement in math¹⁶.
- - The new math framework also draws on the experiences of educators who have worked for a decade to develop successful strategies for teaching California’s rigorous standards, carrying those lessons to others across the state¹⁶.
- - The new math framework offers guidance on how to integrate social justice principles into math lessons, such as exploring how data can be used to address issues of racism, sexism, environmental justice, and human rights²³⁵.
- - The new math framework does not mandate or prohibit any specific math courses or sequences, such as offering algebra in eighth grade or calculus in high school. It leaves those decisions to local districts and schools, based on the needs and interests of their students²⁶.
- - The new math framework encourages teachers to use multiple methods of instruction and assessment, such as inquiry-based learning, collaborative problem-solving, mathematical modeling, and performance tasks²⁶.
- - The new math framework also includes a new chapter on mathematical foundations for data science, which is an emerging field that combines mathematics, statistics, computer science, and domain knowledge to analyze and interpret data²⁵⁶.
I hope this summary helps you understand the main features and goals of the new math framework in California. If you want to learn more, you can check out the full document here: [Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve](https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/cf/).
Bing, 8/20/2023
- (1) California Approves Revised Math Framework - Year 2023 (CA Dept of .... https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr23/yr23rel54.asp.
- (2) Mathematics Framework - Mathematics (CA Dept of Education). https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/cf/.
- (3) California Board of Education approves new math framework. https://www.dailycal.org/2023/07/20/california-board-of-education-approves-new-math-framework.
- (4) CA Math Curriculum encourages ‘Social Justice’ and ‘equity’. https://www.oann.com/newsroom/ca-math-curriculum-encourages-social-justice-and-equity/.
- (5) California revises new math framework to keep backlash at bay. https://edsource.org/2022/california-revises-new-math-framework-to-keep-backlash-at-bay/669010.
- (6) New California Guidelines Remove Math's Racist Stigma and Focus on .... https://www.shockya.com/news/2023/07/15/new-california-guidelines-remove-maths-racist-stigma-and-focus-on-equity-says-state-board-of-education/.
- (7) California Rolls Out Hotly-Debated Math Guidelines | KQED. https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101894089/california-rolls-out-hotly-debated-math-guidelines.
- (8) 'Teaching Toward Social Justice': California's New Math Framework Aims .... https://freebeacon.com/campus/teaching-toward-social-justice-californias-new-math-framework-aims-to-create-equitable-outcomes-between-students/.
