Coalitions for World Class Math Present Design Principles for K-12 Mathematics Standards and Assessments Mathematics education in the United States is at a pivotal moment. The participation of 46 states in the Common Core The NJ Coalition for World Class Math worked in conjunction with our sister coalitions to create the World Class Math Design Principles for K-12 Mathematics Standards and Assessments. The Design Principles are intended to address the major deficiencies and defects that plague Please Read Our World Class Design Principles Visit www.USworldclassmath.org 1The Common Core State Standards Initiative is being undertaken by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to "develop a common core of state standards in English-language arts and mathematics for grades K- 12 "http://www.ccsso.org/whats_new/press_releases/13359.cfm
Welcome to New Jersey Coalition for World Class Math We are an ever-growing group of individual citizens, including parents, educators, and mathematicians who want nothing but excellence in Mathematics Education for the students in New Jersey. This is imperative so that our children will be able to compete in the global economy. This can only be achieved by having "world class" math standards written by the NJ Department of Education. We need to follow the lead of states like California, Massachusetts, Indiana, and Washington State who modeled their standards after some of the highest performing countries on international math tests such as Singapore, Finland, Belgium, Hong Kong, Japan and others. UPDATED: Read our Mission Statement and information about the multi-state initiative currently underway, coordinated by the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) called the “State Common Core Standards”, a state-led process to develop voluntary "common core" K-12 English and mathematics standards. |
State Standards Initiative (CCSSI)1 is based on hope that the outcome will improve mathematics and English-language education in our public schools. However, we fear that this initiative may actually make the situation worse. This possibility cannot be ignored. 
far too many of our states' current mathematics standards - including New Jersey's. Our Coalition will use these Principles in evaluating the work of the CCSSI; accordingly, we offer them for consideration to help inform those who represent us, our children, and our public schools at this critical time. How State Standards Can Influence Your Child's Education
State curriculum standards give school districts the framework to use and the goals to set when teaching a particular subject matter. State standards drive a district's choice of programs, textbooks, and the assessments used to measure student achievement.
That can be a very good thing if the standards are excellent. But if they're not, kids may not be well-prepared to achieve success in college, or the workplace in a global economy.
Are NJ's Core Curriculum Standards preparing our students? Are the State proficiency tests (NJASK & HSPA), which are based on our standards, meaningful enough?
Remedial Math Courses for College Freshmen
The math remediation rate of incoming freshmen at the state's public colleges and universities is about 40% and nearly 80% at NJ's community colleges. Nationwide, 63 % of the students taking remedial math do not earn degrees.(NJDOE Commission on Higher Education and Achieve, Inc.)
This adds up to huge financial expenses for families and lower graduation rates for students.
Read Notes on Remedial Math Problem by Professor Jerome Dancis of the University of Maryland.
We believe the problem stems from a weak foundation in math skills beginning in elementary school. We don't believe that NJ's High School Reform plan is the only solution.
Our coalition wants New Jersey students to learn Arithmetic and Algebra I well enough so that
they will not need to take Remedial Math, namely Arithmetic and Algebra I.
How are students in the U.S. doing in math compared to other countries? Mediocrity at best for an industrialized nation.
See results on the International Math Tests page.
December 9, 2008 -TIMMS 2007 Results Released -
New York Times 12/10/08 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/education/10math.html?_r=1&ref=education
Highlights:
NJ Math Core Curriculum Content Standards
These are the current New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Mathematics
February UPDATE!!!
The NJDOE is moving towards world class standards which are aligned to many of our coalition's philosophies. They have made changes to their first two drafts. See the Feb. 4, 2009 Math Standards Draft Here:
Math_standards_for_posting_02_04_09_with_intro.doc
Just added... Read comments on the February Revisions Draft from several math professors (PhD's in Mathemathatics) from across the nation, two of whom were on the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, Dr. Wu (University of California at Berkeley) and Dr. Fristedt (University of Minnesota.
Comments.Prof.Wu_Prof. Bechtold_Prof. Fristedt.doc
Comments.Prof. Raimi_Prof. Milgram_Prof. Bisk.doc
The draft standards are getting closer, but are still not yet world class and internationally benchmarked. Input will continue to be sought from the Coalition’s advisory panel of mathematicians and their feedback will be provided to the NJ DOE.
Send us your opinion of the new draft by the end of March and we will forward to the NJDOE.NJWorldClassMath@Yahoo.com
Or see the draft on their web site: http://www.nj.gov/education/aps/cccs/2009/math/index.html
On the above link, be sure to review that Draft of Algebra 1 Core Content and see the 2009 Revised Standards Evaluation Tool
NEW! IMPORTANT! Read the memo from the NJDOE urging district superintendents not to buy new materials based on the current 2004 standards since they will be replaced this year. They also urge districts not to use the current draft to revise their curriculum. See the entire memo: njdoememo3.9.09.pdf
Read the Public Testimony of some of our coalition members which was presented to the State BOE at the January 21, 2009 NJBOE meeting: NJBOE Public Testimony.1.21.09.doc
December UPDATE!!!
There is now a 12/2/08 Draft. There is still no mention of the Standard Algorithm, there is still calculator use in 2nd grade, it is still in a format that is not coherent, focused or user-friendly, and it does not in any way resemble World Class Math Standards.
Here's the Draft: math_PreK_HS_complete_12_02_08_.doc
After several requests, the NJDOE sent one of our members the names of who participated on the Standards Writing Team: Math_Team_Historical_for_Release_Jan_08_2009.doc
November Important Announcement!!
The New Jersey Department of Education is nearing completion of Revised Math Standards!! They may be adopted by the State BOE in early 2009.
See the 10/16//08 draft of revisions here: math_PreK_HS_horizontal_10_16_08_withoutestimation.doc (they are not posted on the NJDOE web site)
This is our opportunity to ensure that the New Jersey Department of Education writes and provides world class math standards!!!
Does the October 16, 2008 revised math standards draft meet "world class" standards? Absolutely not!
Leading mathematicians, as well as concerned citizens, agree.
See Criticism of NJ's Revisions (all forwarded to the NJDOE)
What do we mean by World Class Standards ?
12/19/08 Wake Up Call from National Governors Association
Governors, Superintendents and Education Experts Offer Recommendations for Improving Competitiveness of U.S. Education System and Call for State and Federal Government Action
Read Benchmarking for Success: Ensuring U.S. Students Receive a World-class Education , released by the International Benchmarking Advisory Group. This report provides states a roadmap for benchmarking their K-12 education systems against those of top-performing nations. The report explains the urgent need for action and outlines what states and the federal government must do to ensure U.S. students receive a world-class education that provides expanded opportunities for college and career success.
See the Highlights Here
Read the Press Release.mht
Read about the Final Report from the National Math Panel .
What is missing from most states' math standards:AFT - Publications - American Educator - Spring 2008 - What's Missing from Math Standards?
The NJDOE has still not posted their updated version of the Math Standards Draft and has not held public forums for input from all stakeholders and they want an adoption within a few months!
Read about the Flawed Process in New Jersey here.
See 11/24/08 Washington Post article Virginia's Math Standards Bar Might Be Raised here: VA Math Standards
Bridgewater-Raritan District Looks Beyond NJ's Math Standards as Criteria for New Math Program - BOE Votes 9-0 on Superintendent's Recommendation to Drop Everyday Math and Adopt Harcourt HSP Math 2009. Courier-News article 2/27/09: Bridgewater school board votes to change from controversial math program | mycentraljersey.com | MyCentralJersey.com It's Unanimous "Times 2"
Both the 35-member teacher math evaluation committee and the BOE were unanimous in their decision
Power Point: 
K-6 Math Evaluation BOE Presentation 2-24-09
Full K-6 Math Program Evaluation: 
K-6 Math Program Evaluation
It's Unanimous "Times 2"
Both the 35-member teacher math evaluation committee and the BOE were unanimous in their decision
Power Point: K-6 Math Evaluation BOE Presentation 2-24-09
Full K-6 Math Program Evaluation: K-6 Math Program Evaluation