How Much Change Will the Common Core Math Standards Require?

From the Marshall Memo #436

In this Education Week article, Catherine Gewertz reports that, according to a 40-state study led by William Schmidt at Michigan State University, “Many math teachers are teaching topics at higher or lower grade levels – and for more years – than the Common Core State Standards recommend... That finding suggests that when the new standards are fully implemented, many math teachers could face significant shifts in what they will teach.” 

Schmidt and his colleagues conducted surveys and focus groups of math teachers across the country and found overwhelming support for the Common Core standards – less than 1 percent of teachers said they “don’t like and won’t teach” the new standards. But teachers are not fully aware of significant differences between CCSS standards and those they currently teach, are reluctant to stop teaching a topic that CCSS says should be taught at a different level, and feel unprepared to take on new topics assigned to their grade. Among teachers’ concerns: textbooks and other materials that cover the standards, alignment with high-stakes state tests, training, student understanding, and parent support. 

“Math Teaching Often Doesn’t Fit With Common-Core Standards” by Catherine Gewertz in Education Week, May 9, 2012 (Vol. 31, #30, p. 7), http://bit.ly/J92jEL