 NCTM celebrates Pre K-8 initiative anniversary
Curriculum Focal Points sweeping the nation!
Last year at the National Press Club in Washington, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) President Francis (Skip) Fennell announced the release Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8 Mathematics: A Quest for Coherence, marking NCTM's most significant initiative since 2000.
To date, 20 states and numerous school districts have engaged NCTM in using the Curriculum Focal Points in their development or revision of their state standards or frameworks. More than 825,000 copies of the Points have been downloaded from the NCTM Web site. In addition, more than 10,000 hard copies have been sold.
"Our
belief is that the Curriculum Focal Points provides an example for the
next generation of curricula and related assessments," said Fennell,
who is also a board member of CSSP.
Feedback has been outstanding. In a survey of state
supervisors of mathematics the respondents indicate, overwhelmingly,
that they will use the focal points to assist them in the next revision
of their state standards.
Curriculum focal points are
important mathematical topics for each grade level. They are the related
ideas, concepts, skills, and procedures that form the foundation for
understanding, lasting learning, and success in higher mathematics.
Curriculum
Focal Points provides guidance for connecting curricula to the Principles and Standards. The Curriculum
Focal Points address curriculum, or what
is taught, rather than instruction, or how
it is taught. The intent is for these suggestions to lead to the development of
mathematics curriculum goals that are more cohesive from grade to grade and
from school to school. Through its
Connections, the new publication also shows additional ways in which the focal
points connect to Principles and
Standards.
Mathematics
leaders should use the Curriculum Focal
Points to launch discussions about the next generation of curriculum
standards, textbooks, and tests. These talks can lead to the development of new
models for curriculum, instruction, materials, and assessments. Curriculum
Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8 Mathematics represents an
important, initial step in advancing collaborative discussions about what
mathematics students should know and be able to do.
For More Information
• Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten
through Grade 8 Mathematics is available free of charge online. To download
the PDF version, visit www.nctm.org/focalpoints/downloads.asp.
• Curriculum Focal Points can be purchased
through NCTM's online catalog at www.nctm.org/catalog,
or by calling (800) 235-7566.
• A set of
Questions and Answers and other information about the focal points are
available on the NCTM Web site at www.nctm.org/focalpoints.
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