Administrator Information for K-8 Professional Development Click here
This session is designed for school leaders to understand the impact of the Tennessee Diploma Project on mathematics education. Learn about the new graduation requirements, high school course sequence, and the focus of the K-8 mathematics program. Discuss what type of professional development is needed for elementary teachers for teaching the big ideas that lead to a basic understanding of numeracy. And, we will talk about the importance of Algebra topics in middle school.
Improving Numeracy & Algebraic Thinking In Grades 4 – 8
Steven Lay, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics, Lee University
This series of video podcasts was designed to help you meet the new mathematics standards in grades 4 through 8. The podcasts include material from the upcoming Summer Institutes called "Improving Numeracy and Algebraic Thinking". The lessons are based on the book "Prelude to Algebra", the original text in the "Prelude Math" series. These podcasts are directed primarily to Middle School Math Teachers, but they will also benefit upper Elementary Teachers. If you teach in the 4th or 5th grades, you will want to consider using one of the lower level "Prelude" books. They introduce the same ideas and approaches at a level appropriate for younger students.
To Download: Click Here
Suggested Resources
User's Guide to the Tennessee Mathematics
Curriculum Framework Click Here
Mathematics Learning Progression Original Click Here
Mathematics Learning Progression With Topic
& Grade Integration Click Here
Scheduled Workshops Summer 2010
Employment Standards State Approved 5 Day Training. Focus: Those who currently teach middle school math to expand their scope to include Algebra I.
"Highly Qualified Algebra 1" This course may be taught by a licensed teacher with the appropriate 7-12 math endorsement (013,413, 001) OR by a teacher with a professional license pursuant to State Board Rule 0520-2-4-01 (1)(c), an endorsement to teach through at least grade 8, a passing score on the middle school Math PRAXIS (test #0069), and attendance at the state-approved, five-day training.
Note: Praxis test #0146 does not apply
The study of
mathematics plays a vital role in STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics) education. The purpose of
this page is to provide service and
support for all mathematics and STEM
educators in Tennessee. Your input is
welcome on how to make this page more
helpful. Check frequently for updates on
training and news from Tennessee
Department of Education that relate to
mathematics and STEM education.
Question: What mathematics
courses are required for graduation? Answer: The new policy requires
students to take a mathematics course each year
while in high school to complete a 4 credit core
that must include Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra
II (or the equivalent of these courses) and one
advance math course.
Question: What math course should
students take after completing Algebra II? Answer: Traditionally students have
taken STEM (Science. Technology, Engineering. &
Mathematics) focused courses such as Pre-Calculus,
Calculus, Discrete Mathematics, Statistics. Advanced
Algebra & Trig. or an Advanced Placement course.
These options will still be available to any student
who wishes to take them according to local school
board policy. The state is developing options for
students who do not wish to take a traditional STEM
course.
One option is a course that will focus on the big
ideas of advanced mathematics. This course will
provide a summative experience for students in a
contextual format that will explore a variety of
different topics. This summative course will provide
students with the necessary skills to take further
mathematics courses if they choose while providing a
summative survey of topics.
Another option is a bridge math course designed for
students who need to refresh core mathematics skills
prior to further study. It is recommended that
students who have not scored at least a 19 on their
ACT assessment (or equivalent assessment) take this
course to be better prepared for post secondary
study
Question: Can students take an Algebra I
course prior to high school? Answer: Local school systems can
choose to offer an Algebra I course prior to high
school and award high school credit; however,
students will still be expected to complete a four
year course of study while in high school. Thus,
students who complete Algebra I
prior to 9th grade will be expected to complete two
advanced mathematics courses. For this reason, it is
important to know that the middle school mathematics
curriculum has been redesigned to include a
significant amount of Algebra content in grades 6-8.
The standard course of study for the middle grades
is designed to prepare all students for a
comprehensive Algebra I course in the 9th grade.
However, school systems are encouraged to provide
access to an Algebra I course to STEM, honors,
accelerated, and students who wish to have a math
and science elective focus.
Question: What are the mathematics graduation
requirements for special education students? Answer: Special education students
who have an I.E.P. with a mathematics element will
still need to complete a four year course of study
in high school. However, they must complete the
equivalent of an Algebra I and Geometry course of
study. This allows for
extra time in learning the standards and content of
these courses. These students may earn mathematics
credit for an Algebra A or a Geometry A course of
study as well as math credit for the Algebra B or
Geometry B course of study.
Question: Can regular education students take
an Algebra A and Algebra B course of study? Answer: Yes; however, the A course
earns elective credit only. The mathematics credit
is awarded with the B course. This means that
students must complete both the A and B course
within the same calendar year. Systems will need to
provide flexible scheduling for regular education
students to complete this course of study.
Question: What is an enrichment level math
course? Answer: There is no terminology for
"enrichment" math courses in the high school policy.
However, Foundations Math I & II will continue to be
offered as elective math credit courses only. The
state recognizes the need for such courses for
students who are
still not ready to do algebra level coursework
without additional help. The Foundations Math
courses may be used concurrently with an algebra
level course during the ninth grade. The Technical
Mathematics course (equivalent to a Foundations
course) will no
longer be offered.
Question: Must Algebra I and/or Geometry be
taken in High School or can a student accelerate to
take 4 years of higher math and still fulfill math
core requirements?
Answer: The student may take Algebra I and/or
Geometry for credit prior to high school but still
must take four years of math in high school.
Question: Can students earn 2 credits in math
in one year? (example: Geometry/Algebra II in same
year)? OR: If a student earns 4 math credits in 3
years (non-middle school), do they need to take an
additional year of math their senior year?
Answer: Yes, students may earn
multiple math credits in one year, but still must
take at least one math course per year.
