The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) (CCSSI 2010) define what children should understand and be able to do in K-grade 12. This document also includes a description of key mathematical processes and proficiencies, the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMPs), which provide an important overview for the kind of robust thinking…

To develop second-grade students' confidence and ease, this author presents examples of learning tasks (Number of the Day, Word Problem Solving, and Modeling New Mathematical Ideas) that align with Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and that build mathematical fluency to promote students' creative expression of mathematical…

It has been well-documented that many students do not understand the meaning of the equal sign. Thus, researchers have called for instruction that specifically addresses misconceptions about the equal sign, and have indicated that such work must start at the elementary level. In response to these recommendations, some state curriculums require…

There are a variety of technologies that are increasingly being integrated into mathematics classrooms for their potential to increase student engagement, motivation, understanding, and achievement. YouTube can be an especially useful technology for students to create, share and interact with others, and learn more about mathematics. However, the…

The Common Core raises the bar for states struggling to decide what should be taught or tested. As low-performing schools strive to improve instruction, the blueprint has been defined. The Common Core defines the curriculum in enough detail and specifies ways to teach that content creatively and innovatively, to produce graduates who are problem…

"When making mathematical models, technology is valuable for varying assumptions, exploring consequences, and comparing predictions with data," notes the Common Core State Standards Initiative (2010, p. 72). This exploration of the recursive process in the Devil and Daniel Webster problem reveals that the symbolic spreadsheet fits this bill.…

Math achievement in elementary school is mediated by performance and growth in number sense during kindergarten. The aim of the present study was to test the effectiveness of a targeted small-group number sense intervention for high-risk kindergartners from low-income communities. Children were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (n = 44 in each…

Standards drive critical elements of the American educational system--the curricula that schools follow, the textbooks students read, and the tests they take. Similarly, standards establish the levels of performance that students, teachers and schools are expected to meet. To succeed in the 21st century, all students will need to perform to high…

Describes a plan to restructure and reform Minnesota's kindergarten through 12th-grade education system in an effort to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the future. Discusses student performance, the limits of K-12 education, core competencies, problem-solving skills, and students' responsibility for their own education. (CT)

The report of a California task force examines new or revised special education service delivery models which would allow for maximum interaction between special education and general education. After a review of the literature and a 2-day policy forum, the task force concluded that there is no one model appropriate for all schools and all…