Common Core Math in Illinois
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Illinois' 97th General Assembly found that only 40% of Illinois high school graduates were testing ready for college-level mathematics. As a result, 60% of high school graduates needed to take remedial math classes in college that count for no credit, and cost them valuable time and money. As a result the General Assembly enacted Public Act 97-704 stating that Illinois State Board of Education must support districts and middle and high school teachers in implementing Common Core Mathematics State Standards for all students with the help and representation of educational organizations and stakeholders. Through this act, units of study would be developed so that students would meet mathematics standards by high school graduation. Later, the state added kindergarten through fifth grade to this act as well. The Illinois State Board of Education has compiled a great deal of resources for parents and educators alike available HERE. These resources range from parent guides for the Common Core at each grade level, to free webinars and trainings online. |
Common Core Math in Champaign Unit 4
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As outlined in the timeline below, Champaign Unit 4 began work on the Common Core in 2011 with the guidance of district leadership including curriculum coordinators and administration at Mellon. The district was awarded an almost $300,000 grant from the state of Illinois for the Partnership for Enhancing Mathematical Modeling (PEMM). During this grant, a cohort of 20 teachers (grades 8-12) worked together for two years with a focus on Algebra and Geometry in the CCSS-M. Throughout these two years of professional development, teachers developed and practiced instructional strategies to support the CCSS Mathematical Practices, designed assessment, enhanced collaboration among teachers and with the community, enhanced their own mathematical content knowledge, and served as leaders to other grades 6-12 teachers throughout the implementation of the CCSS-M and the CCSS-M aligned curriculum, College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM). During the PEMM grant, teachers worked together to try to support parents as well. Though collaboration with other teachers, building principals, and the mathematics curriculum coordinator, a committee developed resources for parents so that they might understand the changes in standards to the CCSS-M, as well as changes in curriculum to CPM. District-wide resources were available for parents including the pamphlet below.
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Common Core Math in Curriculum
CLICK HERE to see how how CPM aligns with the CCSS-M.
In January of 2012, various teachers throughout the district began piloting CPM units. After these pilots, teachers were on board, and a plan was put together to implement CPM in Champaign Unit 4. The Champaign Unit 4 Board of Education approved adoption of CPM for the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year. Before implementation could occur, teachers began their training and professional development with CPM for a week in the summer of 2013, followed by 3 more days of additional professional development during the 2012-2013 school year, and another 7 days during the 2013-2014 school year. During this time, Champaign Unit 4 Middle Schools (Jefferson, Edison, and Franklin) and High Schools (Central and Centennial) developed a math night to get parents involved, keep them informed, experience the new math curriculum, as well as provide support for parents and families in addition to an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback. |