An equitable mathematics system intentionally broadens participation and engagement of all students, harnessing cultural, linguistic, and mathematical competencies they bring to the classroom. ODE is committed to collaborating with education partners across the state to analyze our system of mathematics education through the Oregon equity lens in order to change policies and practices that lead to (historically) inequitable student outcomes. The vision of the Oregon Math Project is to engineer a system of equitable math instruction where all students are invited to the table with an authentic sense of belonging, purpose, and joy throughout their K-12 learning.
To achieve this goal, ODE has identified four core commitments which are described in more detail on the ODE Math Standards website, and will be focal points of upcoming newsletters.
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Commitment 1: Provide a strong foundation of mathematical understanding and fluency for every student (March 2021 Focus)
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Commitment 2: Apply mathematics through authentic problem solving opportunities for students (April 2021 Focus)
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Commitment 3: Implement inclusive active learning strategies that engage students with content both inside and outside the classroom (May 2021 Focus)
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Commitment 4: Dismantle systemic barriers based on perceptions of students’ mathematical readiness rooted in racially-biased or otherwise invalid assumptions (June 2021 Focus)
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The focus of authentic mathematical applications support the natural interconnectedness of math to other disciplines while infusing relevance for students. Application of mathematics does not insure improvements in student understanding. Teachers have to help students make connections between context and content.
The math modeling cycle (MP4) is a hallmark of authentic math lessons, many of which start with the context. The context naturally creates a need to understand and apply key mathematical concepts. An authentic math lesson should return to context for assessment and transfer. You can learn more about mathematical modeling in the Practice Brief: Mathematical Modeling, and additional resources can be found on Oregon Open Learning.
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This newsletter is focused on the commitment to apply mathematics through authentic problem solving opportunities for students. The Oregon Open Learning math group has numerous examples of lessons and a few examples of courses that are designed to engage students by applying mathematics. We recently added a set of curriculum maps at multiple grade levels that align Problem-Based Mathematics lessons with Common Core State Standards. The maps are linked in a new Curriculum Maps folder. While you are browsing the math group resources, you might want to explore the materials in the Cultural Context folder.
Geoff Krall, author of the Emergent Math blog, is also the author of the Curriculum Maps and has posted some interesting thoughts about Problem-Based Mathematics. Routines, Lessons, Problems, and Projects: the DNA of your math classroom explores the roles of different Problem-Based Learning teaching formats. All applied learning does not have to be taught as lengthy projects. The blog post, along with all his other materials, are Creative Commons licensed.
Have fun browsing though the activities and please share your favorite OERs in Oregon Open Learning. Also, consider uploading your own Creative Commons licensed curriculum maps or modifications of those developed by Geoff Krall. Please reach out to the math team if you have any questions about Oregon Open Learning.
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In January, the draft Oregon math standards were posted on the ODE math page for public review and still can be viewed today. In collaboration with nine educational service districts, ODE staff proved 18 workshops in January and February to introduce the vision of the Oregon Math Project and the opportunity to provide feedback until April 1, 2021. The public survey is now closed and the work will return to our math content panel to review comments and draft the next version of the standards.
Work this spring will focus on three areas, including:
- Strengthen content found in the clarifying guidance sections
- Review content by progressions and will include particular focus on reviewing a K-12 data science progression in collaboration with the American Statistical Association (ASA).
- Review consistency of standards wording and include public feedback when possible
The goal will be to have the words of the next set of standards by the end of June 2021, then work in the summer will focus on formatting and preparing for a fall presentation to the State Board. Updates will be included in the math newsletter, and can reach out to contact Mark Freed, Mathematics Education Specialist, with any questions or for more information.
On March 26, the US Department of Education rejected Oregon’s initial Strategic Assessment and Accountability Waiver, citing the role of assessment in educational equity. In response, Oregon submitted an amended waiver to attempt to strike a balance between federal requirements and the need for schools to center relationships and connection, as well as maximize instructional time, as most students transition to hybrid or in-person instruction. The administration requirements of the amended waiver are in the table below. Oregon’s amended waiver was conditionally approved by US ED on April 1.
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Grade Level
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Required Administration
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Additional Assessment Opportunity *
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3
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English Language Arts (ELA)
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Mathematics
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4
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Mathematics
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ELA
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5
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Science
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ELA & Mathematics
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6
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ELA
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Mathematics
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7
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ELA & Mathematics
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N/A
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8
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Mathematics & Science
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ELA
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11
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ELA & Mathematics
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Science
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* ODE is required to make all summative general and alternate assessments available in ELA, Mathematics, and Science.
The amended waiver requires all summative assessments in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science to be made available to students and families, and requires the administration of at least one summative assessment in each tested grade level. There are no changes to the requirements for the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA). The Mathematics assessment blueprint has been reduced for 2020-21 to shorten testing time and maximize instructional time. Additionally, the optional SEED Survey is available this year to give districts useful contextual information about students’ access to learning resources, opportunity to learn, self-efficacy, sense of belonging, and more.
The statewide assessment window opened April 13 and extends through June 11. As in previous administration years, students may be opted-out of ELA and/or Math per ORS 329.479 or exempted from Science per OAR 581-021-009. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions are maintained on the ODE Assessment Communications webpage. Please contact Andrew Byerley, Mathematics Assessment Specialist, with any questions or for more information.
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Bootstrap Data Science Introduction
Emmanuel Schanzer from Bootstrap will be joining the Oregon Math Leader Network this month to discuss how data science can fit into the 8-12 math learning progression. Examples will be shared from Bootstrap Data Science course, an open education resource out of Brown University.
In Bootstrap:Data Science, students form their own questions about the world around them, analyze data using multiple methods, and write a research paper about their findings. Social studies, science, and business teachers can utilize this module to help students make inferences from data. Math teachers can use this module to introduce foundational concepts in statistics.
All are welcome to join the conversation on Thursday, April 29 from 3:30-4:30 PDT.
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Dana Center: Designing Mathematics Pathways for Equity
All are welcome to attend the upcoming virtual conference, Designing Mathematics Pathways for Equity, hosted by the Dana Center's Launch Years Initiative.
The virtual 3-day conference, taking place May 4–6, 2021, will offer you an opportunity to share strategies, resources, and models for designing equitable mathematics pathways. Come learn about this work, hear about students’ experiences, and help chart a course toward a system that provides equitable pathways for all students.
- More information and registration link (**note there is a $79 registration fee for this event that would need to be paid by the registrant).
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LearningExpress Library and PrepSTEP Have AP Test Prep Materials
LearningExpress offers a skill-building and test-preparation product, and it is available through OSLIS at no cost to the Oregon K-12 community. In the past, all users, whether K-12 or not, accessed the resources from the same platform: LearningExpress Library. However, the company recently created separate platforms for various audiences. PrepSTEP for High Schools consolidates the resources from LearningExpress Library that are most relevant for high schoolers, and it is now the default platform on OSLIS. Among other things, PrepSTEP/LEL offers materials to help students prepare for AP exams. From the secondary Find Information page on OSLIS, click through these three steps: LearningExpress logo => Prepare for College center => Get Ready for AP Tests. This Google doc has information about which AP subjects are covered, registering for an account on PrepSTEP/LEL, assigning PrepSTEP content via an LMS, and more. Please let your students know about this resource. Questions? Contact your library staff or Jen Maurer (jennifer.maurer@slo.oregon.gov) at the State Library.
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Oregon Council on Economics Education (OCEE)
April is Financial Literacy month and an number of events shared by the Oregon Council on Economics Education (OCEE) for this month can be found with this link, which includes opportunities such as:
- Personal Finance Challenge
- MyEconomy
- EconEdLink: April Webinars
- Stock Market Game
Archive Recordings
Oregon Math Leader Network
- Jo Boaler - 21st Century Mathematics (recording link)
- Desmos - What is Brilliant Here? Using Student Thinking and Identity as the Center of a Classroom Experience (recording link)
Student Achievement Partners - Coffee and Conversations
- Bringing Student Voices to the Anti-Racist Teaching Conversation (recording link)
****Disclaimer****
The materials contained in the Department of Education’s Oregon Mathematics Educator Update are drawn from both internal and external sources and inclusion of external materials does not necessarily indicate Oregon Department of Education endorsement.
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