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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Grant opportunity: K-5 emerging teacher leaders

The purpose of this grant is to increase the breadth and depth of the mathematics content knowledge of one elementary school teacher who has a demonstrated commitment to mathematics teaching and learning. The applicant must have the support of the school principal in becoming a mathematics teacher-leader within her or his school or district. For the 2012–2013 school year, grants with a maximum of $6,000 each will be awarded. Only one teacher per school may receive the award. The desired outcome of the funded project is the development of an elementary school mathematics teacher with mathematics content expertise.
The applicant must
  1. be a classroom (elementary school) teacher with at least three years of experience and
  2. have mathematics as a regular teaching responsibility.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=1310
The application packet must be postmarked by November 11, 2011.

Monday, July 25, 2011

New K-12 Science Framework released

The K-12 Science Framework has been released by the National Research Council. It presents a new framework for K-12 science education that identifies the key scientific ideas and practices all students should learn by the end of high school. The framework will serve as the foundation for new K-12 science education standards, to replace those issued more than a decade ago. The National Research Council is the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering; all three are independent, nongovernmental organizations.

The committee that wrote the report sees the need for significant improvements in how science is taught in the U.S. The new framework is designed to help students gradually deepen their knowledge of core ideas in four disciplinary areas over multiple years of school, rather than acquire shallow knowledge of many topics. And it strongly emphasizes the practices of science – helping students learn to plan and carry out investigations, for example, and to engage in argumentation from evidence.

Contained in the framework are substantial sections which refer to the mathematics, mathematical modeling, statistics and data analysis, and problem solving required to support learning the science and engineering content and practices. There is substantial carryover from the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, including the Standards for Mathematical Practice. And, readers will see overlap with the CCSS Literacy standards for History, Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (which include mathematics).

Although the actual science standards aren’t written yet, this framework will give educators a lot to think about regarding better coordination of the mathematics, science, and literacy curricula, including its calls for active, hands-on learning; technology use for modeling, simulation, and data analysis; and teaching and learning technical reading and writing.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Comparing K-3 GLCE to Common Core State Standards for Math

The recommended timeline for CCSS-M implementation suggests that schools fully implement grades K-2 this fall. This requires some careful curriculum planning this summer to be fully prepared. The Kalamazoo Diocese has developed a useful crosswalk that compare the CCSS-M standards to the GLCE content expectations for grades K-3.
  • Curious about how the two sets of standards compare?
  • Curious about what stays the same and what changes?
  • Curious about all that's new with the CCSS-M?
Then check out the K-3 Crosswalk to help you during your summer curriculum work and lesson planning.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Underlying structure in the CCSS-M Content Standards

A draft document that describes structures in the content standards of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics has just been released. The document incorporates previous writings concerning pinnacles, and the graphic of flows leading to algebra, but has a lot of new material as well. Well worth reading for those thinking about assessment and curriculum based on the standards.

REL-Midwest report on Michigan's implementation and support of RtI

Regional Educational Laboratories (REL) - Midwest just released a report that reviews 6 mid-west states' implementation and support of Response to Intervention (RTI). Michigan is one of these states.
Based on a review of state documents and interviews with state and local officials in six Midwest Region states, this qualitative study describes state education agency policy development and planning for response to intervention approaches to instruction. It also looks at the support provided to districts and schools implementing response to intervention.

Curious about how Michigan compares? Check out the report to find out.