NEW Common Core State Standards - Math Program
The Common Core State Math Standards introduce a new way of teaching math and assessing students’ learning as part of our commitment to providing our young people with the mental tools, skills and focus to contribute to and succeed in the 21st Century global economy.
As the Superintendent of East Side Union High School District, it is my privilege and duty to support the transition to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
East Side serves 24,000 high school students. Many are English learners, live in poverty, or have been traditionally underserved by public education. Like all districts in California, we had to make the decision to implement the new CCS math standards using the traditional name and sequence (Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II), or the international, integrated approach.
Both approaches require math teachers to completely shift the standards that were taught in traditional Algebra and Geometry courses. Because the international approach takes an integrated and somewhat holistic view of how to teach Math, ESUHSD adopted this framework.
A Real-world Model for Learning Math
CCSS are changing the way students learn mathematics, what students are expected to be able to do with mathematics, and what mathematical concepts are taught at each grade level. The rigor expected at each grade level has increased, which requires the typical high school mathematics programs to change.
These standards emphasize learning mathematics in the context of real-world situations, to solve real problems while developing the mental habits that come from using mathematics skillfully, understanding math’s conceptual framework.
For example, the content of the first half of a traditional Algebra 1 course will now be taught in grade 8 along with some triangle proofs from Euclidian Geometry. Regardless of what we call the courses students take, the CCSS require all high school students to develop an integrated understanding of algebra, geometry, statistics, functions, and number and quantity. This content shift in each course is significantly different from how math has been taught for the past two decades.
The University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) systems recognize this shift in content and standards for mathematics, and have steadfastly approved the shift in the traditional titles of mathematics to the integrated approach we’re taking (CC A1gebra 1, CC Geometry, and CC Algebra 2) and CC Math 1, CC Math 2 and CC Math 3. Additionally, in East Side, we have created the pathway for any student to take Calculus in their senior year.
--Chris D. Funk, Superintendent
Common Core State Standards Videos
The following videos are presentations on the Common Core State Standards, instructional shifts that will be required for this transition, and changes parents can expect to see in student assignments. The Math video goes into more detail on changes to the math course pathway and what that will mean for students as they enter high school.
We are living in a new time that is technologically rich where a person can communicate with the world in just a few “clicks”. Living in the global age requires the ability to collaborate, communicate, think critically, and be creative. Education beyond high school is becoming more and more necessary in order to make a wage that would support a family. Yet not all students graduate high school prepared to enter college or post secondary options. In order to ensure all students are prepared for success in college and careers, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status the US Department of Education along with The Council of Chief State School Officers and The National Governors Association embarked on a mission to implement the Common Core State Standards in all states.
California along with 44 other states have adopted and are transitioning to the Common Core State Standards.
The mission of the Common Core State Standards
- The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them.
- The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and sills that our young people need for success in college and careers.
- With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.
View this video in English or Spanish to hear a short explanation of why the country is moving to Common Core State Standards. Click here to view video
The California Department of Education has created a document in multiple languages explaining the Common Core State Standards movement. To download the document click on the language you prefer to read.
To access a complete set of the Common Core State Standards Click here
Parent Resources:
Assessments
All states that have adopted the Common Core State Standards, which includes California, will be implementing new assessments in the spring of 2015, which will replace the current California STAR tests.
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is creating the Common Core State Standards assessment that 24 of the states will use. Other states will use the PARCC assessments. The new assessments are rigorous and utilize computers to administer the tests. Students in grades 3 – 8 and grade 11 will be required to take these exams in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. Within the next few years California students will also begin taking subject matter tests in all core subjects. Use the links below to view practice test items and sample performance tasks.
Sample Test Items English Language Arts/Literacy Mathematics Sample Performance Assessments
Common Core:
Integrated approach will benefit San Jose students
Special to the Mercury News
By Chris D. Funk, ESUSHD SuperintendentPosted: May 15, 2014
It is a disturbing fact that American 15-year-olds score 26th in the world on math achievement, according to the Program for International Student Assessment:
"Students in the United States have particular weaknesses in performing mathematics tasks with higher cognitive demands, such as taking real-world situations, translating them into mathematical terms, and interpreting mathematical aspects in real-world problems .... A successful implementation of the Common Core Standards would yield significant performance gains."
As superintendent of East Side Union High School District, it is my privilege and duty to support the transition to the Common Core State Standards.
East Side serves 24,000 high school students, many of whom are English learners, students living in poverty and students who have been traditionally underserved by public education.
Like all districts in California, we had to make the decision to implement the new Common Core math standards using the traditional name and sequence (Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II) or the international approach, using the integrated math approach. Both require math teachers to completely shift the standards that were taught in the traditional Algebra and Geometry courses.
East Side Union adopted the international approach because it is to math instruction as the holistic health approach is to medicine. (click here to read more)