Understanding the New Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Mathematics

And Its Impact on Middle School Mathematics Programs

Presented by: Beverly Nelson, Deputy Superintendent Carolyn Joy, Director of Mathematics & Science November 13, 2012

Agenda
Welcome/ Introductions Reason for the Meeting The History of Curriculum in the state and district

History of Curriculum Development in Massachusetts

Prior to the Educational Reform Act of 1993- no state curriculum guidelines Education Reform Act 1993- creation of state Curriculum Frameworks- mathematics 1995, ELA 1998, other areas 1999 Since the 1990s periodic changes in curriculum frameworks- approximately every 5 years

District Curriculum
All school districts required to adopt curriculum aligned with the frameworks Why?

MCAS
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System First administered 1998 High stakes for ELA and mathematics beginning with the class of 2003 Test based on Curriculum Frameworks

Curriculum 2012

New curriculum frameworks for mathematics and ELA adopted by Board of Education December 2011. All districts receiving RTTT grant funds mandated to implement new curriculum by the fall 2012 All non RTTT districts must implement by fall 2013
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Differences with Past and Present Frameworks

Ambitious time frame for implementation Frameworks based on Common Core (standards adopted by almost all the states) Focus on preparing students to be College and Career Ready

What is Different?
English Language Arts

Emphasis on non-fiction Connection between reading and writing Literacy standards for all subjects Different types of writing for all grades

Mathematics Major changes in rigor of mathematics starting at elementary school

Mathematics Presentation
Development

of the 2011 Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Mathematics Steps to Implementation The Framework Examples of Shifts in Middle School Standards Question & Answer
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Development of the 2011 Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Mathematics

2008 MA DESE begins revision of the mathematics framework; 2009 CCSSO and NGA begin a multi-state standards development initiative; 2010 Common Core State Standards adopted by MA DESE and built upon; 2011 Massachusetts State Framework for Mathematics document based on the Common Core State Standards is approved.

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Steps to Implementation
Professional

Development Alignment of Resources Unpacking Standards Curriculum Transitions Development of Curriculum Units Assessment
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The March 2011 Mathematics Framework

Revises

www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html

Guiding Principles for Mathematics Programs

- ex. Technology is an essential tool to be used strategically.

Articulates

New Standards for Mathematical Practice

- ex. Mathematically proficient students reason abstractly and quantitatively.
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The Framework
Presents

(contd)

Standards for Mathematical Content in a variety of formats.

- ex. By grade level pre-K through 8; by conceptual category and by model courses for high school.

Includes

Supplementary Resources

- ex. Glossary of Mathematical Terms, Tables and Illustrations

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What Makes the New Standards Different?

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Focus Standards organized by defined critical areas at each grade level

Coherence Clusters carefully connected within and across the grades

Clarity Precisely worded standards that cannot be treated as a checklist

Rigor
Knowledge

and skill mastery for College and Career Readiness

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Examples of Shifts in Grade 6 Standards

2011 Standards Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities.
2000/2004 Standards This standard was in grade 7 in 2004 and in grade 8 in 2000
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Examples of Shifts in Grade 6 Standards

(contd)

2011 Standards Interpret and compute quotients of fractions, and solve word problems involving division of fractions by fractions, e.g. using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem. 2000/2004 Standards The standard did not include fractions in word problems nor the use of mixed numbers.
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Examples of Shifts in Grade 7 Standards

2011 Standards Use data from a random sample to draw inferences about a population with unknown characteristic of interest. Generate multiple samples (or simulated samples) of the same size to gauge the variation in estimates or predictions. 2000/2004 Standards This standard was in grade 10 in 2000.
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Examples of Shifts in Grade 7 Standards

(contd)

2011 Standards Know the formulas for the area and circumference of a circle and use them to solve problems; give an informal derivation of the relationship between the circumference and the area of a circle. 2000/2004 Standards The standard did not require that the students know circle measurement formulas.
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Examples of Shifts in Grade 8 Standards

2011 Standards Analyze and solve pairs of simultaneous linear equations. 2000/2004 Standards This standard was in grade 10 and Algebra 1 in 2000.
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Examples of Shifts in Grade 8 Standards

(contd)

2011 Standards Know and apply the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical expressions. 2000/2004 Standards The standard did not require that the students work with negative integer exponents.
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The New Grade 8 Mathematics

The new Grade 8 standards are more rigorous and incorporate some standards that traditionally have been taught in Algebra I

Students in grade 8 now learn The connections between proportionality and linear functions Linear relationships and equations to begin the study of functions and compare rational and irrational numbers
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 21

The New Grade 8 Mathematics

Connecting

(contd)

linear relations with the representation of bi-variate data (statistics standards) Quadratic and exponential functions Systems of linear equations in two variables Congruence and similarity through transformations
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 22

Algebra 1 Highlights
All

students in grade 8 are now expected to work with some topics traditionally covered in Algebra I topics, e.g., systems of equations.

The

2011 Model Algebra I course is more advanced than the 2000-2010 Algebra I course.
Algebra I and Algebra II courses include a much more rigorous and indepth study of functions.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 23

Both

Algebra 1 Highlights (contd)

Algebra I: In addition to students working with linear, quadratic, and exponential functions, they will also explore absolute value, step, and piecewise-defined functions. Algebra II: Students will work with logarithmic functions including graphing to show intercepts and end behavior; trigonometric functions, including graphing to show period, midline, and amplitude; and vectors
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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History of Algebra 1 in Grade 8

Prior to 1993 Organization of Medford Public Schools

K-6

Elementary School 7-8 Junior High School Students identified for Grade 7 Pre-Algebra at the end of elementary school. Grade 7 Pre-Algebra students identified for Algebra 1 at the end of grade 7.
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History of Algebra 1 in Grade 8

(contd)

From 1993-2011 Organization of Medford Public Schools

K-5

Elementary School 6-8 Middle School All sixth graders placed into Grade 6 Mathematics All seventh graders placed into Grade 7 Mathematics Top seventh graders test into Grade 8 Algebra
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Pathways to the New Algebra 1

beginning September 2012
Grade 6 Mathematics
Grade 7 Mathematics Grade 8 Mathematics Grade 7 Pre Algebra Grade 8 Mathematics Grade 8 Algebra 1

Grade 9 Algebra 1

Grade 9 Algebra 1

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Who Takes the Accelerated Pathway?

DESE advises that no more that 15% of a districts students should be in the new Algebra 1 at grade 8. Medford Public Schools has given the opportunity for 25% of the students to optinto the accelerated program beginning at grade seven.
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Why Pre-Algebra Beginning at Grade Seven?

Prior

to taking the New Algebra 1 all standards for grades seven and eight must be learned. Standards from previous grades are not re-taught. New standards build upon previous understandings. The result is a compacted curriculum.
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How Does a Sixth Grader Qualify for Pre-Algebra in Grade 7?

1. 2.

A final grade of A- or greater in grade 6 mathematics and A qualifying score on the end-of-course placement assessment.

Parents/guardians have the option of NOT accelerating a qualified student.

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How Does a Seventh Grader Qualify for Algebra 1 in Grade 8?

The student must take Pre-Algebra in Grade 7. 2. The seventh grader passes Pre-Algebra with a final grade of C+ or greater. It is strongly recommended that a student with demonstrated weak performance in Grade 7 Pre-Algebra place into regular Grade 8 Mathematics rather than Grade 8 Algebra 1.
1.

Parents/guardians have the option of NOT accelerating a qualified student.

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Summary
Implementation

of the new mathematics standards begins in the fall of 2012. The new mathematics framework calls for more rigor and increased depth of understanding at every grade level. Middle School mathematics is the foundation for high school mathematics. For SY2013-2014 Grade 8 Algebra 1 will not be required for grade 9 honors biology but remains recommended.
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In Closing Thank you, For your participation and to Principal Paul DAlleva for hosting this presentation at the Andrews Middle School.

Access the 2011 Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Mathematics at www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html

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