Most children in Colorado have math learning gaps because of recent changes in the state's math education. Colorado adopted the Common Core State Standards in Math a few years ago in 2014. This marked a major change in the way math was taught.
Change isn’t always easy. When the standards changed, teachers and textbooks had to change the way they approached math education, too. Not all teachers and textbooks were able to quickly embrace the new way of thinking about math education. In fact, finding quality and engaging resources aligned with Common Core Math Standards is not easy.
Teachers find themselves supplementing textbooks and math programs with lessons from other places. Picking and choosing from a variety of sources has inherent risks. Curriculum design isn’t easy and teachers have too many other responsibilities to add curriculum design to their "to do" list. Some important skills and concepts do not get adequately covered because none of the teaching resources adequately cover them. It is similar to telling a builder to follow a blueprint that is only 85% complete. A skilled builder will be able to make do, but there might be a few oversights.
Kids end up with gaps in their understanding as a result of the lack of a comprehensive standards-aligned resource and the change from one set of standards to another that is more rigorous. Children who were already in school when the shift to Common Core State Standards for Math occurred are at an even bigger disadvantage. Their early math education does not align with what they will be expected to know in middle school and high school.
Luckily, Mathnasium of Parker will help fill in the gaps. We have a comprehensive assessment that allows us to determine what math gaps your child has and then we can find the right tools and create a completely customized math curriculum for your child. This solid foundation of skills will be very important the higher your child progresses in math.
For more information about the Common Core State Standards in Math read:
Are you a Parent in Parker Frustrated with Common Core Math Standards
Do You Love or Hate the Common Core Math Standards
I Don’t Understand the “New” Common Core Math My Kid is Learning
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