In 2007, the Board hired Strategic Teaching to perform the review of the K–12 mathematics standards. A panel of 16 Washingtonians are working with the consultant.
Strategic Teaching presented a draft of their recommendations to the Board and the Board held public hearings. The Board conducted focus groups around the state to provide feedback on the draft. Strategic Teaching provided a final report on August 30th to the Board.
In September, the Board gave recommendations to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for changes needed in the mathematics standards. Strategic Teaching and the Board will review the OSPI rewrite of the standards upon their completion.
Strategic Teaching assisted the Board and the Math Panel with a review of the third math credit and to explore ways that Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses could be used as equivalents as well as to draft suggested math content for the three credits.
Preparing all Students for Success: A Third Credit of High School Math
After taking into consideration the Strategic Teaching’s research on third math credit options, including national studies on the topic, and public comment, the Board directed staff to draft rule language for review at the March State Board of Education meeting that requires all students to complete a third credit of math in an Algebra II course that aligns with the new math standards and meets the content standards to be approved by the Board. This course requirement can be completed through an approved career and technical education course of study that is comparable in course content but allows the student to earn more than one credit to complete. This will be in effect for the Class of 2013. This decision aligns with the Board’s specified purpose of the high school diploma—to prepare all students for success in postsecondary education, gainful employment and citizenship.
Upon completion of a second credit of mathematics that meets the 9th and 10th grade level expectations, students may elect to pursue, or continue to pursue, an approved program of study that leads to a specific career goal. This election shall allow the student to replace the Algebra II requirement with a third math credit that furthers this approved program of study. The election shall require approval by a high school counselor or administrator, and shall include a counseling session with the student and family/guardian that at a minimum makes sure everyone understands the future opportunities that may be unavailable to the student by making this choice. It shall also encourage the student to take additional math courses during the remainder of their high school studies that assist them towards their career goals and maintain their math skills.
The Board will have a public hearing on the proposed rule for the third math credit and also will address implementation issues for the third credit at its March meeting. The Board anticipates adopting the rule for the third math credit at its May meeting.
