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[Illustration from 'Mathematical World' by Richard Phillips]

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Challenges and barriers

Challenges menu Challenges and barriers

Standards and assessment

Challenges encountered in reconciling curriculum standards, achievement, and high-stakes assessment
Challenge Our assessment lacks balance
Challenge Our curriculum and our tests are at odds
Challenge Our hard won test gains have stopped
Challenge We have too many students who lag behind
Challenge Our gains in elementary math scores not sustained in secondary grades
Challenge We produce short-term gains but students quickly forget
Challenge We have a mandate to align tests with standards
Challenge Test prep takes too much time and is ineffective
Challenge State/district tests are too narrow
Challenge Teachers are reluctant to use performance assessments

Curriculum

Challenges encountered in selecting, implementing, and continuing the use of high-quality instructional materials
Challenge Our teachers are not getting through their grade level curriculum
Challenge We have a mandate to implement a standards-based curriculum

Teaching

Challenges encountered in providing high quality learning experiences for all students
Challenge We want to shift teachers' attention from what they are doing to what students are doing and thinking
Challenge We need to find and use web-based resources more effectively
Challenge Our professional development efforts are not having much impact in classrooms
Challenge Our teachers need help establishing problem-solving environments
Challenge Our teachers need a deeper knowledge of the mathematics they are teaching
Challenge Our teachers need support in engaging students in mathematical discussions

System

Challenges that can only be tackled with a system-wide approach
Challenge Our math program is not serving all kids
Challenge Teachers don't teach the curriculum
Challenge We need to build leadership capacity throughout our district
Challenge We experience frequent changes of administrative leadership
Challenge How do we begin improving our system?
Challenge How do we get to an evidence-based curriculum?
Challenge Math Wars

Parents

Challenges related to bringing parents on board with mathematics reform.
Challenge How do we get to an evidence-based curriculum?
Challenge Math Wars

Release 5.0 - March 2007 - © 2007 ToolkitForChange.org - Note: This is a static archive of an old site and may contain outdated information