The Response from SMMCA

Southeastern Massachusetts Mathematics Chairpersons

Association

SMMCA

• Founded in 1968 for math department heads• Currently has 41 members from 37 school

districts in Southeastern Massachusetts• 16 member Standards Study Committee• Letter to the National Governors Association

and Massachusetts Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education

General Comments for our BOE

• Proceed slowly—Massachusetts has high standards

• Let’s compare the Common Core with our revised Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks

• The lack of assessment information is troubling

• Schools can’t afford major changes

Specific Concerns

• Numerous Core Standards– Risk of being a checklist– Making connections not emphasized – Connections to 21st century skills are needed

K-5 Standards

• Emphasize Arithmetic in ways to promote understanding--not rote memorization

but

• Lack a strong statement about early algebraic skills (input-output tables, number theory)

Are these better?

• Will they close the achievement gap?• Will they decrease the need for remediation

in colleges?• Where are Response to Intervention

guidelines?

STEM Labels

• STEM standards are really “calculus intending” and not necessarily just for STEM careers

• STEM could discourage some students who intend to pursue non-STEM careers