1510-Week 2

Raising the Stakes Standards
        Mathematics is a highly interconnected subject. It is important for teachers and curriculum directors to look at the standards from several consecutive years when designing a curriculum for a particular year. Math standards increase as you go to higher grades- the higher the grade the more standards there are to cover. The standards cover Numbers and Operations, Algebra, Geometry and Measurement.

The purpose of the MN Math Standards are:

• To set the expectations for achievement in mathematics for K-12 students in Minnesota - requirements for graduation from high school.
• To align state tests to.
• A guide for school districts in designing mathematics curricula.

        One issue the U.S. is facing is that they are trying to replace those retiring in science and engineering but falling behind the need says the TAMS Report (2007). It also discusses that all concerns about national math performance are on the gaps:

• U.S. and Foreign gap
• Race, gender, and S.E.S. gap
• Talent gap

        There are many areas on which we could improve, but this is a gradual process. It can not happen immediately as many would like. With the push for higher standards, comes a push from teachers to students to achieve higher scores on state tests, which brings a whole lot of pressure for those students. 

        One area in which students struggle with is place value. Many students have trouble with this concept through the 4th grade. To help with understanding this topic it has been shown that by studying other cultures numeric system helps with the understanding place values. There are also many other aids such as visuals (i.e. cartoons as above), manipulatives (i.e. base-ten blocks) and songs (below) to help students learn this concept. Teachers are trying anything to get their students learning and loving math!