Nearly two years ago the California Department of Education released the revised version of the California Mathematics Framework (CMF). The CMF is a guidance document every 7-10 years to support high-quality mathematics instruction aligned with the Common Core State Standards. It provides research-based recommendations for curriculum design, instructional strategies, and assessment practices that promote equitable learning opportunities […]
The title of this blog post is technically “Improving math instruction at scale”, but if I was allowed a subtitle, it would be “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” When I ask various important people what is their vision for mathematics in their community, I generally get some sort of vague answer […]
The 2023 California Mathematics Framework presents a transformative approach to math instruction, grounded in the latest research on student learning and equity. However, many teachers remain unaware of its recommendations because they have not had the time or opportunity to engage deeply with the document. At over 1,000 pages, the framework is an overwhelming read, […]
I have been teaching mathematics since 1989 and during this time I have experienced no less than 3 or 4 math coaching initiatives either as the recipient of the math coaching or the deliverer of said math coaching. These sudden moments of interest in math coaching are ALWAYS connected to some external event: the state […]
In 1989 I began my teaching career at Roosevelt Junior High School in Oakland where I taught 8th and 9th grade mathematics. I was completely ill-equipped to teach students who were just a few years younger than me. Chronic-absenteeism was so high, my class rosters were in the mid-40’s so as to ensure a daily […]
The newly revised California Mathematics Framework (CMF) is full of research-informed recommendations for how teachers should update their instructional strategies to be more aligned with current understandings of how students best learn mathematics. Unfortunately, the hard work of the CMF authors will be for naught unless we properly support teachers to carry out the changes […]
I was recently chatting with a teacher who is frustrated that every year her students seem to make tremendous progress with the grade-level content they are learning, only to later score Standard Not Met on the CAASPP in Spring. Particularly vexing, she said, is that her students learn the lessons, successfully complete the exit tickets, and even […]
In September of 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1705 which would have fully phased in by Fall, 2025. AB 1705 would have created rules that mostly prevent colleges from offering remedial courses such as Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus. Essentially, AB 1705 would have made Calculus the lowest possible course for students with a STEM-related academic goal. Are you noticing the would haves? Well, […]
Preamble: Many years ago I first read a report called The Opportunity Myth. Its findings were eye-opening and I vowed to apply the findings in the report to my work in Merced County. For the past six years I have done exactly that…with varying degrees of success. I am unwavering in my belief that the […]