Ascending the Slope with the Arizona Math Standards Revision Team

Abstract: Most instructors will not study the pages and pages of standards available to effectively plan a lesson in a specific content area, yet they will use the amazing amounts of detail to guide the activities in the classroom. The mathematics standards provide an essential tool for guiding teachers toward instructional models to help students learn mathematics in ways that transform conceptual understanding, procedural skills, and applications so they become lifelong learners. Participants of this session will have the opportunity to analyze some standards line by line, paralleling the selection process considered by the Arizona Math Content Team in revising the state standards. Through the process, decisions need to be made whether a standard is useful, relevant, and worded correctly. As you work in small groups, you will understand the process of assessing current state standards and be prepared if asked to revise your own.