Challenge
Initial Thoughts
Wrap Up
Assessment

Page 3: Requirements of a Standards-Based Mathematics Curriculum

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One component of high-quality mathematics instruction is a standards-based curriculum. Many states have adopted the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) to replace their own existing math standards. Click here to determine whether your state has adopted them. The CCSSM are composed of Mathematical Practices and grade-level standards and: 

  • Are aligned with college and work expectations
  • Are clear, understandable, and consistent
  • Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills
  • Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards
  • Are informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society
  • Are evidence-based

For Your Information

The development of the CCSSM was a state-led initiative, sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association (NGA), to create a common set of standards. The development of these standards was informed by teachers, administrators, and experts and reflect the best models used in the United States and internationally.

Mathematical Practices

The CCSSM Mathematical Practices describe the skills that should be mastered by students in all grade levels. These practices, listed below, combine the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) process standards and the National Research Council strands of mathematical proficiency.

CCSSM Mathematical Practices
  • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
  • Reason abstractly and quantitatively
  • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
  • Model with mathematics
  • Use appropriate tools strategically
  • Attend to precision
  • Look for and make use of structure
  • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

Grade-Level Standards

The CCSSM grade-level standards describe the knowledge that students should acquire at each grade level. The table below highlights the standards for kindergarten through grade eight.

  K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
Counting & Cardinality checkmark                
Operations & Algebraic Thinking checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark      
Number & Operations in Base Ten checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark      
Measurement & Data checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark      
Geometry checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark checkmark
Number & Operations – Fractions       checkmark checkmark checkmark      
Ratios & Proportional Relationships             checkmark checkmark  
The Number System             checkmark checkmark checkmark
Expressions & Equations             checkmark checkmark checkmark
Statistics & Probability             checkmark checkmark checkmark
Functions                 checkmark

Adapted from Common Core State Standards Initiative (http://www.corestandards.org/wp-content/uploads/Math_Standards1.pdf).

For high school, the standards are organized by conceptual categories rather than grade level. These standards provide opportunities for high school students to apply mathematical concepts and reasoning to real-life problems. Additionally, these standards aim to prepare students for college and the workforce by helping them to develop a thorough understanding of mathematical concepts and the ability to transfer their knowledge to novel situations.

Number and Quantity

Algebra

Functions

Modeling

Geometry

Statistics and Probability


To learn more about the CCSSM, click here.

Information pertaining to CCSSM is ©copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.

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