Mathematics textbooks and state curriculum standards : an analysis of the alignment between the written and intended curricula

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on September 24, 2007)Vita.Thesis (Ph. D.) University of Missouri-Columbia 2007.This study documented the alignment between state curriculum standards and the treatment of fraction concepts and computation in popular elementary and middle grades mathematics textbooks. Grade-level Learning Expectations (GLEs) from the five most populous states that use a system of statewide textbook adoption and the five most populous states that are "open territory" comprised the state sample, while two popular elementary (K-6) textbook series and two popular middle grades (6-8) textbook series represented the textbook sample. Results revealed varying degrees of alignment across the ten state GLEs and four textbook series. At the elementary level, alignment was stronger between the GLEs from the "big three" textbook adoption states (CA, TX, FL) and textbook instructional segments than between the other seven state's GLEs and the textbooks. At the middle grades, the opposite effect was true. The proportion of GLEs from textbook adoption states aligned to the elementary series is significantly greater than the proportion of GLEs from non-adoption states, while a non-significant relationship in favor of the nonadoption states was found for the middle grade series.Includes bibliographical reference

Development of State-Level Mathematics Curriculum Documents: Report of a Survey

Includes bibliographical references.Recent federal initiatives, most notably the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, have exerted substantial influence on state and local decision-making. One element of the educational system that has been affected most directly and dramatically is curriculum articulation, particularly as it relates to holding school systems accountable for what students learn.This paper was supported by funds from the National Science Foundation (NSF)

High School Mathematics: State-Level Curriculum Standards and Graduation Requirements

The federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act has prompted increased activity at the state level in the specification of mathematics curriculum learning goals in the United States. As a direct result of NCLB, 39 states have replaced or revised their mathematics curriculum standards since 2002 (Reys, 2006). Along with the NCLB requirements focusing on curriculum, states have also increased graduation requirements in order to engage their students in more mathematics throughout their secondary education. The information in this report illustrates that states vary with respect to required mathematics credit hours and courses for graduation.This report was developed as part of the work of the Center for the Study of Mathematics Curriculum, supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. ESI-0333879. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation

Intended Mathematics Curriculum as Represented in State-Level Curriculum Standards: Consensus or Confusion?

Full Report published by: Information Age Publishers. http://www.infoagepub.comThis report represents the first detailed analysis of the grade placement of particular learning goals across all state-level curriculum documents published and current as of May 2005. The report documents the current situation regarding grade-level mathematics curriculum specification in the U.S. and highlights a general lack of consensus across states. As states continue to work to improve learning opportunities for all students, we hope this report will serve as a useful summary to inform future curriculum decisions.This report is based on the work of the Center for the Study of Mathematics Curriculum, supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. ESI-0333879. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation