NCTM Recommendations for Common Core Professional Development

  

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As a continuation of my exploration of professional development materials, here is a report released by the NCTM in November that provides professional development recommendations specific to the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSSM-PD). The recommendations help school leaders and professional development providers identify the best practices for teachers and how best to implement them. 

Additionally, a report entitled Gearing up for the Common Core State Standards, written last year by a group of math educators and experts, lists five initial content domains for professional development focus: (1) counting, cardinality, and numbers and operations in base ten (grades K-2); (2) operations and algebraic thinking (grades K-5); (3) number and operations-fractions (grades 3-5); (4) ratios and proportions (grade 6-7); and (5) geometry (grade 8). 

Much of the focus on the NCTM report surrounds the Standards for Mathematical Practice laid out in the CCSSM. These standards provide a framework for how math can be taught most effectively. The other recommendations adapt existing professional development practices to the CCSSM and facilitate communication between teachers and education leaders.

The five content domains identified in the Gearing Up report are useful in distinguishing the areas in each grade that will require the most training. While the CCSSM are intended to streamline math curricula, the overhaul will require teachers to update their syllabus and their teaching techniques. Some of the content domains have changed more dramatically in their treatment at various grade levels than others, and these deserve the most immediate attention. Focusing on these domains is the best way to implement the NCTM’s first recommendation: Emphasize the Substance of CCSSM-PD. The Gearing Up document provides the rationale behind each of the choices of domain. It includes the standards themselves as well as critical areas of focus for each target domain at various grade levels.

How are your schools preparing for the Common Core? Have you found any useful resources that you would recommend?