Upcoming Changes in Mathematics Education, K-12 Joe Hill, Director of Math and Technology

When you aim for perfection, you discover it’s a moving target. Geoffrey Fisher

RCPS has a history of high achievement in mathematics

Our Math 3 SOL Pass Rate Source: Division Report Card from Virginia DOE

Our Math 4 SOL Pass Rate Source: Division Report Card from Virginia DOE

Our Math 5 SOL Pass Rate Source: Division Report Card from Virginia DOE

Our Math 6 SOL Pass Rate Source: Division Report Card from Virginia DOE

Our Math 7 SOL Pass Rate Source: Division Report Card from Virginia DOE

Our Math 8 SOL Pass Rate Source: Division Report Card from Virginia DOE

Our Algebra I SOL Pass Rate Source: Division Report Card from Virginia DOE

Our Geometry SOL Pass Rate Source: Division Report Card from Virginia DOE

Our Algebra II SOL Pass Rate Source: Division Report Card from Virginia DOE

Changes are a’ comin’

New Math SOLs… Revised SOLs for K-12 Mathematics were approved by the State Board of Education in February, 2009 –This is the second revision of the 1995 Math SOLs; the first was made in 2001 –Teachers have been provided with documentation of these changes Revised Curriculum Framework was approved by the State Board in October, 2009

Changes with the 2009 Math SOL: Math expectations have been raised –Kindergarten students count to 100 instead of to 30 –3rd graders learn multiplication facts through the 12’s –Algebra I students calculate and interpret standard deviation and z-scores All grade levels have an increase in multi-step problems Many topics which relate to how the SOL were to be taught have been moved to the Curriculum Framework The number of SOLs were reduced by combining two or more SOLs

Changes with the 2009 Math SOL (continued): The math vocabulary has been “tightened” –First graders now use “vertices” and “right angles” instead of “corners” and “square corners” –Fourth graders learn names of polygons with ten or fewer sides Many topics were pushed down at least one grade level –GCF and LCM have been moved from Grade 6 to Grade 4 A few topics were moved up one grade level –Decimals moved from Grade 3 to Grade 4

New SOL Tests All math tests are to be revised to match new SOLs Grade 3 test will no longer be cumulative New test with unique format developed for Algebra, Functions and Data Analysis class

Implementation Timetable

Upcoming Textbook Adoption

New Graduation Requirements In May 2009, State Board of Education approved revisions to Standards of Accreditation –Beginning with the freshman class of 2010, students seeking a Standard or Advanced Diploma can no longer receive two math credits by completing Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2

Current flowchart used for students seeking Standard Diploma

New (2010) flowchart used for students seeking Standard Diploma

These State Board actions force many changes to be made in RCPS Program of Studies RCPS Math Curriculum (online) Benchmarks and Benchmark Tests Practice SOL questions (SOLMate) Report Cards Many, many teacher created materials

In summary, changes in math are upon us Changes which will be enacted over the next two years Not changes we asked for or, in some cases, supported Changes we can live with Changes our teachers and guidance counselors are aware of and will receive additional training about Changes our students will adapt to as they have been doing since the first Math SOLs in 1995

Questions?