"Districts see new options in middle-level programs." June 5, 2005. NYSUT Guide to K-12 Education Standards 2005-2006. New York State United Teachers.


Guide to State and Federal Standards for Academic Year 2005-2006 An overview of where New York State stands in the move to higher standards and more rigorous tests. HOME \| STANDARDS \| Your Students \| Your Credentials \| Sample Tests \| Resources \| News Archive
Your Students Math reforms add up to changes in all grades Posted: June 5, 2005 UPDATE: JUNE 14, 2005: State Education Dept. updates Mathematics Toolkit Broad changes are under way in how math is tested and taught from pre-K through high school. Here are key points of the two reform packages approved this year by the state Board of Regents: Pre-K-8 clearer and more tightly worded standards; a narrower, deeper focus on the basics through grade 4; more extensive and earlier use of calculators in all grades; performance indicators that spell out what should be taught in each grade; a State Education Department-developed resource guide and grade-by-grade core curriculum; job-embedded professional development for teachers; basic algebra to begin in grade 5; much of the algebra content from high school Math A moves to math courses in grades 7 and 8; development of precisely worded performance indicators for content and performance for each grade level; emphasizing conceptual understanding over memorization. Grades 9-12 Math A and B to be replaced with three one-year courses: algebra, geometry, and Algebra 2 and trigonometry; courses to be phased in over three school years, beginning with algebra in 2006-07. Recommendations The following recommendations are awaiting action by the state Board of Regents: developing a Regents Exam for each of the new courses; requiring that students pass any one of the exams to earn a Regents Diploma; requiring that students pass all three of the exams to earn an advanced Regents Diploma. A committee that developed the new standards has recommended a new algebra exam not be given before June 2007, and that exams in the other courses not be given before June 2008. Under that schedule, the upcoming school year would be used to phase in the new pre-K-8 math standards.	Got questions? Through its Education and Learning Trust's Effective Teaching Program and the Subject Area Committee for Mathematics, NYSUT is offering a two-hour New Math Standards Awareness Workshop to help teachers and School-Related Professionals understand the new changes. Classroom pros will answer such questions as what students need to know and do to show math proficiency. For details, contact Kay Sole at (800) 342-9810 ext. 6250. A key to use of calculators On the upcoming statewide math tests, only students in grades 7 and 8 will be allowed to use calculators. Scientific calculators are preferred, although State Ed has said that at a minimum calculators should be four-function with a square root key; graphing calculators are not permitted. Calculators are not allowed on the multiple-choice questions in Part I, but are permitted on extended-response items in these two grades. Calculators are not permitted on any tests in grades 3-6. A key element in the math changes adopted by the state Board of Regents in January was a recommendation for using scientific calculators on assessments in grades 5-8. State Ed plans to phase in calculator use for math assessments in grades 5 and 6, although the start date has not been set. Math toolkit Further details on math standards and grades 3-8 testing are available in a State Education Department "Mathematics Toolkit" available at www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/guidance.htm .
The Guide to State and Federal Standards for Academic Year 2005-2006 was developed by New York Teacher in conjunction with the union's Division of Research and Educational Services. Articles are by John Strachan. Updated June 2005. For updates, read New York Teacher, or go to the Web site at www.nysut.org. Single copies are available while supplies last. Bulk order requests should be made through local union presidents. Write NYSUT Publications, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, N.Y. 12110-2455; e-mail jmalec@nysutmail.org; or call (800) 342-9810, ext. 6260. Ask for item No. 204/05 from the Publications Department. The complete guide is also available for download at nysut.org/standards. NYSUT, the largest union in New York State, represents more than 525,000 classroom teachers and other school employees and retirees; academic and professional faculty at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. NYSUT.org. Copyright New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000.