October is National Book Month

While it might seem odd to feature this occasion in a math newsletter, it provides a great opportunity to engage even the youngest readers in beautiful storybooks that include mathematical concepts. Development and Research in Early Mathematics Education (DREME) has published an excellent list of picture books designed to foster a love of math in young readers, and for young adult readers, Vanderbilt University has posted a list of books featuring connections to math.

Notably, National Book Month isn’t just for students! There are a number of excellent books on the history of mathematics, biographies of mathematicians, and math education that may be great additions to your professional reading. Take a minute to add what you’re reading right now to a Jamboard, and while you’re at it get some great ideas for future reading. May you find joy in reading and celebrate the role of books in fostering a love of reading…and math…among your students!

Photo credit: Andrew Byerley

2023-24 Grade 11 OSAS Math Test

Blueprint Updated

As part of the 2021 Oregon Math Standards update, ODE has published a transitional blueprint for the 2023-24 Grade 11 Math CAT that brings that test’s item pool into alignment with the reduction in the number of high school math standards. Changes include:

• The removal of four Claim 1 assessment targets for which there are no longer associated standards (Targets B, D, F, and H).
• The removal of Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) items that no longer align with the 2021 Oregon Math Standards.
• Rebalancing of items towards priority targets (representing the major work of the grade level) rather than supporting targets.

Other related details include:

• Neither the length of the CAT nor anticipated student testing time are significantly impacted.
• All existing Performance Tasks sufficiently align to 2021 Oregon Math Standards.
• No changes are expected to student scoring or reporting.
• The Grade 11 Sample Math CAT will be updated accordingly on the OSAS Portal on October 31, 2023.
• The full set of OSAS Interim Assessments will remain active in 2023-24 as districts continue to transition to the 2021 Oregon Math Standards.

There are no changes to the OSAS Math Test blueprints in Grades 3 - 8 in 2023-24. ODE anticipates field testing items that assess data reasoning in 2024-25 across all tested grade levels.

Please see the accompanying Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Contact Andrew Byerley, Math Assessment Specialist, for more information.

Updated Oregon Math Project Webpage

The vision of the Oregon Math Project (OMP) is to ensure that all students attain mathematics proficiency by having access to high-quality instruction that includes challenging and coherent content in a learning environment where each student receives the support they need to succeed in mathematics.

The four cornerstones of Focus, Coherence, Pathways, and Belonging guide this work as we design equitable systems in our state. While these discussions have occurred since the review and revision of our standards, there has not been a place on the ODE website you could link to and find out more about these ideas. 

ODE is excited to announce an update to the Oregon Math Project webpage to provide a home for sharing the OMP vision. Additionally, resources from the 2021 Mathways grants will be available on this page as they are ready to post. Look for updates on this page in the coming months including future grant opportunities to continue the work to realize the OMP vision in our state.

Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching.

The PAEMST program is open to outstanding STEM teachers in the 50 states; Washington, D.C.; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Education Activity schools; and the U.S. jurisdictions. 

Anyone—principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public—may nominate exceptional STEM teachers currently teaching students in grades K-6 for the 2024 award year. Teachers may also apply directly on the PAEMST website.

The nomination deadline is January 8, 2024, and the application deadline is February 6, 2024, for elementary educators (grade K-6).

Secondary educators will be eligible for nomination during a future cycle.

Oregon Open Learning Featured Resource

Hearing more about Data Science but not quite sure what it looks like in a math classroom? You’re not alone! While more and more educators in Oregon begin piloting Data Science courses, a number of resources are available for educators to better understand some of the principles of the field as well as some of the progressions in the 2021 Oregon Math Standards. Youcubed offers some robust data science lessons for students in grades 6-10 that can be found alongside nearly 40 other data-related resources in the Mathematics group on Oregon Open Learning.

Want to learn more about OER and the Oregon Open Learning Hub? Asynchronous learning options include the OER Professional Learning Group on the Hub and the User Guide for Oregon Open Learning.

Career College Collaborative Fall Webinars

The vision of the Career College Collaborative (C3) is for every Oregon career and college readiness professional to have the resources and materials needed to support any Oregonian interested in pursuing a career or postsecondary education.

Join C3 Oregon and partners to learn more about resources through their fall webinar series. Click here to see events happening this fall, including:

• C3 Career Journey Maps: Learn more about C3’s newest offering, the Career Journey Map Resource. (Wednesday, October 25 at 4:00 p.m.)
• ASPIRE: The ASPIRE program helps educate Oregon students to become college and career ready. (Thursday, November 9 at 12:00 p.m. & Thursday, November 30 at 12:00 p.m.)

Mathematics Education Trust Funding

Application Deadline November 1, 2023

NCTM offers its members the opportunity to apply for a variety of grants, ranging from research to innovation to equity. The deadline to submit your application for a Mathematics Education Trust grant, scholarship, or award is November 1, 2023. More than $100,000 in funding is available to help support continued professional development and work improving classroom practices.

Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship

Application Deadline November 16, 2023

Applications are now open for the Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program! This fellowship places math, science, and STEM educators with a federal agency or in a United States congressional office in Washington, D.C. for eleven months. Managed by the U.S. Department of Energy, this is an exciting opportunity to learn about STEM at the federal level while sharing your education and math/science/STEM expertise with your office. Qualified candidates will have spent five of the last seven years in a classroom.

The fellowship program is holding office hours to help interested educators with applications and information about the opportunity. Office hours are from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Pacific Time on October 25, November 1, November 8, and November 15. The Zoom link to the office hours can be found through the fellowship webpage above. Applications are due at 5:00 PM on November 16, 2023. If you have questions about any aspect of the fellowship, please feel free to contact Kama Almasi, ODE STEM Education Specialist.