Go Math and Common Core

 Common Core and Go Math

Due to the controversy surrounding Common Core (CCSS) and State and Federal control of our educational system, I would like to share some thoughts about our new math curriculum and why you will see Common Core standards listed on some of the pages.

 

Let me begin by stating that Parkview Baptist is a private, Christian, College Prep school.  We are and will remain distinct from the initiatives and governmental control of public schools.  Since CCSS has been in the works since 2010, many curriculum companies have shown where their textbooks address those standards.  Companies who have gone through recent revisions have especially made notations in their texts concerning common core.  This is true of both Christian and non-Christian companies.  It is also true of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt who we selected as our new math curriculum for kindergarten through sixth grade.

 

Reasons we chose Go Math

• Thorough review by our veteran teachers which included comparing top math curriculums
• Included more resources for parents
• Included more technology integration to go with our classroom iPads
• Included more options for the advanced learner
• Provided a better foundation and continuity than our previous materials
• More reasons are included in the handout entitled “Ready, Set, Go Math”

 

Why does it say Common Core in the books?

• Companies have always followed standards and a scope and sequence. Now that there is an effort to agree on some of the standards, they can print them in the books.
• Most Common Core standards are the same as the old Louisiana Grade Level Expectations (GLE’S). Some of the differences are earlier introductions of some concepts.  In the past, teachers had to match state standards with each lesson.  New textbooks try to save that step for schools.

 

How does Parkview relate to the Common Core Standards?

• Parkview has always met and gone beyond the Louisiana GLE’s and will do the same for CCSS.
• Parkview always supplements the weaknesses of any textbook selection based on the experience of our teachers and their professional development.
• The handout entitled “What Makes a Curriculum” shows how we supplement and expand Go Math.
• Remember, a textbook is not a curriculum. It is only a part of a curriculum for us, and no single textbook meets the needs of our students.
• Parkview chooses its own standardized tests (ERB and Aspire) and does not participate in a Common Core testing or data gathering system. We choose standardized testing based on competiveness between top private schools and college readiness standards.

 

Parkview is excited about our new math curriculum, and we are blessed to be able to allocate resources that invest in a higher quality math experience for our students

Don R. Mayes, Ed.D.

Superintendent