Georgia Performance StandardsGeorgia Performance StandardsSecondary MathematicsSecondary Mathematics

Savannah-Chatham County SchoolsSavannah-Chatham County Schools

A performance standard has four A performance standard has four components.components.

content standardcontent standard

illustrative tasksillustrative tasks

examples of student workexamples of student work

commentary for teacherscommentary for teachers

Together, these components are the guide onTogether, these components are the guide on

what to teach, how thoroughly to treat awhat to teach, how thoroughly to treat a

topic, and some examples of student work thattopic, and some examples of student work that

meet or exceed the content standard.meet or exceed the content standard.

GPS BalanceGPS Balance

ConceptsConceptsSkillsSkillsProblem SolvingProblem Solving

Encourages students to reason mathematically, to evaluateEncourages students to reason mathematically, to evaluatemathematical arguments, to use the language of mathematics tomathematical arguments, to use the language of mathematics tocommunicate ideas and information precisely, and to makecommunicate ideas and information precisely, and to makeconnections among mathematical topics, and to other disciplines.connections among mathematical topics, and to other disciplines.

Improvements from QCCImprovements from QCC

Eliminates extensive repetition of topicsEliminates extensive repetition of topics

Concepts taught and learned with rigor Concepts taught and learned with rigor and depthand depth

Solve challenging problemsSolve challenging problems

Assessments aligned with instructionAssessments aligned with instruction

Middle SchoolMiddle School

In grade 6 the curriculum begins to address traditional topics In grade 6 the curriculum begins to address traditional topics from algebra and geometryfrom algebra and geometry

From grade 7 and beyond the curriculum has four content From grade 7 and beyond the curriculum has four content strands: number and operations, geometry, algebra, and data strands: number and operations, geometry, algebra, and data analysis and probability analysis and probability

Middle School GPSMiddle School GPS

New content topics are introduced in every grade in New content topics are introduced in every grade in middle school, making it difficult to justify skipping any middle school, making it difficult to justify skipping any course course Acceleration of students with exceptional mathematical Acceleration of students with exceptional mathematical talent is achieved by increasing the rigor and depth of talent is achieved by increasing the rigor and depth of the existing standards at each grade level as opposed to the existing standards at each grade level as opposed to skipping or compressing courses. skipping or compressing courses. By the end of grade 8, the student will have completed By the end of grade 8, the student will have completed the equivalent of traditional first-year algebra and much the equivalent of traditional first-year algebra and much of the traditional geometry course of the traditional geometry course Students will no longer take Algebra 1 and/or Geometry Students will no longer take Algebra 1 and/or Geometry for high school credit in middle school for high school credit in middle school

Middle School Mathematics Courses Eliminated under GPSMiddle School Mathematics Courses Eliminated under GPS

Sixth Grade Pre-Algebra Sixth Grade Pre-Algebra (eliminated in 2005)(eliminated in 2005)

Seventh Grade Pre-Algebra Seventh Grade Pre-Algebra (eliminated in Summer 2006)(eliminated in Summer 2006)

Seventh Grade Algebra 1A Seventh Grade Algebra 1A and/or 1B (eliminated in and/or 1B (eliminated in Summer 2006)Summer 2006)

Eighth Grade Pre-Algebra (to Eighth Grade Pre-Algebra (to be eliminated in Summer be eliminated in Summer 2007)2007)

Eighth Grade Algebra 1A Eighth Grade Algebra 1A and/or 1B (to be eliminated in and/or 1B (to be eliminated in Summer 2007)Summer 2007)

TextbooksTextbooks

Adoption of K-8 Adoption of K-8 mathematics is in mathematics is in processprocess

Adoption for 9-12 Adoption for 9-12 textbooks will occur textbooks will occur during the 2007-08. during the 2007-08.

GPS Mathematics Implementation by School YearGPS Mathematics Implementation by School Year

Year 1Teacher Traning

Year 2Teach and Test

Sixth Grade 2004-05 2005-06

Seventh Grade 2005-06 2006-07

Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades 2005-06 2006-07

Eighth Grade 2006-07 2007-08

Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades2006-07 2007-08

Ninth – Twelfth Grades 2007-08 2008-09

High School GPSHigh School GPS

The high school mathematics content standards address four strands: The high school mathematics content standards address four strands:

number and operationsnumber and operations

algebraalgebra

geometrygeometry

data analysis and probabilitydata analysis and probability

Courses are carefully designed to develop the natural connections thatCourses are carefully designed to develop the natural connections that

exist among these strands, between mathematical topics and to otherexist among these strands, between mathematical topics and to other

disciplines. These connections allow students to see and usedisciplines. These connections allow students to see and use

mathematics as a tool for solving complex problems.mathematics as a tool for solving complex problems.

High School Course Sequences High School Course Sequences (for students entering ninth grade in 2008-09 and after)(for students entering ninth grade in 2008-09 and after)

Core MathematicsCore Mathematics sequence prepares students to enter college. sequence prepares students to enter college. (four courses designed to prepare students for post secondary (four courses designed to prepare students for post secondary options)options)regular regular MathematicsMathematics sequence allows students to enter college at sequence allows students to enter college at the calculus level. (four courses designed to prepare students to the calculus level. (four courses designed to prepare students to enter college at the calculus level )enter college at the calculus level )Accelerated MathematicsAccelerated Mathematics sequence allows students to leave high sequence allows students to leave high school having completed Advanced Placement Calculus. (three school having completed Advanced Placement Calculus. (three courses designed to prepare students to take AB or BC Advanced courses designed to prepare students to take AB or BC Advanced Placement Calculus)Placement Calculus)

Because common standards are addressed in all three sequences,Because common standards are addressed in all three sequences,movement from one sequence to another is possible at various points movement from one sequence to another is possible at various points in the curriculum, and a variety of paths are available regardless ofin the curriculum, and a variety of paths are available regardless ofwhich course a student takes in the ninth grade. which course a student takes in the ninth grade.

FAQFAQ

How will colleges and high schools outside Georgia know the How will colleges and high schools outside Georgia know the curricula of GPS Mathematics? curricula of GPS Mathematics? Clare Pierce, Math Program Manager from GADOE, says that there should be no problem for our students. The information on the content of our courses is available on the web. It is also possible to include a referral to the curriculum descriptions from the internet on all high school transcripts.

How will we notify parents about the changes in middle school How will we notify parents about the changes in middle school mathematics with the GPS? mathematics with the GPS? Curriculum and Instruction will publish a brochure on GPS Middle School Mathematics. Parent meetings explaining the changing are being scheduled in all middle schools.

Will high school credit courses in mathematics in middle be Will high school credit courses in mathematics in middle be reinstated sometime in the future? reinstated sometime in the future? We do not know yet. According to Kathy Cox, the possibility of advanced courses will be assessed after the GPS is completely implemented.