Final+Thoughts

=Final Thoughts=

Change is coming to education.

The evolution of the content and process of math education brought about by adopting Common Core standards will be challenging. It is a good opportunity to rethink what we are teaching and why. It might be time to sweep out some outmoded ideas about effective math instruction.

Today's digital natives learn differently than students did before the year 2000. Researchers now know more about how children's brains work. As educators we need to move beyond the idea of filling a vessel or covering curriculum in time for a test. We need to engage children, have them be participants in their own learning. It's time.

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Resources
In addition to the many documents and web resources used throughout this research process I had the benefit of meeting with several individuals whose input was invaluable.

September 29 Met with Mr. Jim Garwood, Deputy Superintendent of Schools for Community Consolidated School District 15 in Palatine. District 15 is a Pre-K through 8 district with approximately 12,200 students in 19 schools.

September 30 Met with Ms. Jodi Wirt, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Community Unit School District 95 in Lake Zurich. District 95 is a Pre-K through 12 district with approximately 6,000 students in eight schools.

September 30 Met with Ms. Stacie Noisey, Curriculum Director for Community Unit School District 95 in Lake Zurich.

October 5 Attended the inaugural Community Curriculum Advisory Council Meeting in District 15 in Palatine. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Mary Zarr, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Special Services, and School Improvement.

October 26 Attended a workshop through the Lake County Regional Office of Education entitled Common Core Math Camp, Grades 6-8. This professional development opportunity was led by Ms. Jennie Winters.

November 2 Community Curriculum Advisory Council Meeting in District 15. Tonight’s topic was the implementation of Common Core State Standards.

November 21 Met with Ms. Pat Laystrom a Senior Vice President of State Relations at Connections Education. Ms. Laystrom’s insight and experience with school choice and virtual and blended education was beyond helpful. Connections Education "is an accredited provider of high-quality, highly accountable virtual education solutions for students in grade K–12."

Alison Mahoney is a graduate student in the Curriculum, Technology, & Education Reform program through the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.