Integrated (International) Math Pathway vs Traditional Math Pathway

1. Integrated (International) Math PathwayvsTraditional Math Pathway

2. What Do They Look Like? TRADITIONAL REGULAR HONORS 8th Grade 8th Grade Math Algebra I Freshmen Algebra I H.Algebra II Sophomores Algebra II H.Geom Juniors Geometry H.PreCalc Seniors PreCalc AP Calculus (Stats) AP Stats (Comp.Science) (Applied-Financial Algebra) INTEGRATED REGULAR HONORS 8th Grade 8th Grade Math H. Math I Freshmen Math I H. Math II Sophomores Math II H. Math III Juniors Math III H.PreCalc Seniors PreCalc AP Calculus (Stats) AP Stats (Comp.Science) (Applied-Financial Algebra) (Math IV)

3. How Do They Differ? TRADITIONAL • Objectives presented as separate concepts • Taught via rules, procedures, and memorization • Lecture based, teacher directed • Continuous practice of procedures INTERGRATED • Objectives from algebra, geometry, functions, math modeling, and probability and statistics, are interwoven • Real world problems are investigated via lab-type experiences • Teacher serves as facilitator and coach • Collaborative learning • Practice with a purpose

4. How Do Those Attributes Align with CCSS? Common Core Attributes • Focus and coherence • Balance of Concepts and Skills • College and Career Readiness • Mathematical Practices Mathematical Practices • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them • Reason abstractly and quantitatively • Construct viable arguments and critique reasoning of others • Model with mathematics • Use appropriate tools strategically • Attend to precision • Look for and make use of structure • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

5. FACTS TO CONSIDER • Although the percentage of US high school students enrolled in integrated mathematics courses is pretty small, the worldwide percentage of students enrolled in integrated mathematics courses would be about 99%. In the US K-8 mathematics is integrated, and in the rest of the world, K-12 mathematics is integrated. So about 12 million US students in Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II would be about 1% of more than 1 billion school-aged children worldwide. • In college, in the workplace, and in everyday life, problems do not come labeled “Algebra” or “Geometry”. Thus, for success in college and careers, high school graduates need opportunities to bring together their understandings of number, algebra, geometry, and statistics. In other words, whatever the names of the courses, mathematics curriculum and instruction should provide opportunities for integrated learning.

6. DATA POINTS From a paper prepared for the National Academies Board on Science Education and Board on Testing and Assessment for “Highly Successful STEM Schools”… COSMIC Study Results (Comparing Options in Secondary Mathematics :Investigating Curriculum) Tarr, Ross, McNaught, Chavez, Grouws, Reys, Sears and Taylan, 2010 Results as measured on three tests – two created specifically for the study and one standardized – measuring content, reasoning and problem solving

7. Gain Scores (Posttest – Pretest) were positively correlated on three tests in favor of integrated curricula compared to traditional curricula. • When controlling for %FRL (Free and Reduced Lunch), the magnitude of the correlation between Curriculum Type and student outcomes become significantly different than 0 in favor of the integrated curricula. • Opportunity to Learn (OTL) was significantly and positively correlated with higher performance on all three outcome measures. • OTL and %FRL are closely related. In other words, the findings suggest that using integrated math with students of poverty is a promising option.

8. Much has been written about how to close the achievement gap. Most educational gurus agree that students who take more rigorous coursework learn more, perform better on tests, and reach higher levels of post-secondary education. Advanced math enrollment (beyond three years) in one north carolina school after instituting integrated math curriculum

9. Most Recent Information from PARCCDecember 21st, 2012 • PARCC high school assessments will include course-based tests in Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry as well as equivalent integrated courses Mathematics I, II, and III. • For the first three years of testing, the math will be based on an enhanced version of the final mathematics assessment (Algebra II or Math III) that include two additional performance based tests that draw on students’ knowledge of key concepts and skills from earlier high school math courses. • Since Integrated Math series incorporate all topics of math content each year, at progressively high levels; it stands to reason that students might have better retention of previously learned material than in isolated content curriculum of traditional pathways.

10. Math Common Core Pathway UpdateDecember 18th, 2012 • Public Act 097-0704 that was passed in June of 2012, charged ISBE to “…coordinate the acquisition, adaptation, and development of middle and high school mathematics curriculum models to aid school districts and teachers in implementing standards for all students.” Public Act http://www.ilga.gov/../legislation/publicists/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0704 • Model to be presented by March 1, 2013 • “We have recently confirmed with the group of stakeholders that is creating the model mathematics curriculum that the curriculum will follow the INTEGRATED PATHWAY at the secondary level (which will also impact middle school math curriculum for those who offer a compressed or accelerated math trajectory for 6-8th grade students.” (Anji Garza – Director of Professional Development Lee/Ogle ROE#47) • Illinois has decided that districts will have this INTEGRATED model curriculum that they can either adopt or adapt. • “It has been our understanding, however, that the developed “model curriculum” will drive the assessment that will be ordered from the PARCC assessment consortium”. (Anji Garza)