Closing the Mathematics Expectations Gap: How the American Diploma Project States are
Leading the Way
Committee on Education and Labor
Hearing on The National Mathematics Advisory Panel Report: Foundations for Success
May 21, 2008
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Who is Achieve, Inc.?Who is Achieve, Inc.?
Created by the nation’s governors and business leaders, Achieve, Inc., is a bipartisan non-profit organization that helps states raise academic standards, improve assessments and strengthen accountability to prepare all young people for postsecondary education, careers, and citizenship.
In 2004, Achieve published, Ready or Not, English and mathematics benchmarks which reflect the knowledge and skills high school graduates need to have to be successful in college and career. In 2005, Achieve launched the American Diploma Project (ADP) network, a coalition of states committed to improving student preparation.
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ADP Network launched at 2005 ADP Network launched at 2005 Summit: 13 states committed to Summit: 13 states committed to improving student preparationimproving student preparation
ID
AZ
UT
MT
WY
NM
CO
AL
SC
TN
KY
INOH
NC
SD
KS
NE
MN
WI
IA
IL
MO
AR
MS
OK
ND
OR
CA NV
WA
TX
PA
VA
NY
CT
WV MD
NJ
VTNH
MA
DE
RI
HI
GA
FL
ME
MI
LA
AK
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ADP Network today: thirty-three ADP Network today: thirty-three states now committed to states now committed to improving student preparationimproving student preparation
ID
AZ
UT
MT
WY
NM
CO
AL
SC
TN
KY
INOH
NC
SD
KS
NE
MN
WI
IA
IL
MO
AR
MS
OK
ND
OR
CA NV
WA
TX
PA
VA
NY
CT
WV MD
NJ
VTNH
MA
DE
RI
HI
GA
FL
ME
MI
LA
AK
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Closing the Expectations Gap: Closing the Expectations Gap: ADP Network Policy AgendaADP Network Policy Agenda
Align high school standards with college and career expectations.
Require all students to take curriculum aligned with standards.
Include “college-ready” tests, aligned with state standards, in high school assessment system.
Hold high schools accountable for graduating students college- and career-ready, and hold postsecondary institutions accountable for student success.
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The ADP Recommended College- The ADP Recommended College- & Career-ready Curriculum& Career-ready Curriculum
Achieve’s research suggests that for high school graduates to be prepared for success in postsecondary settings, they need to take: Four years of challenging mathematics—through the
content typically taught in Algebra II, or its equivalent, and beyond, and
Four years of rigorous English aligned with college and career ready standards.
In 2005, only 2 states had graduation requirements at this level.
As of May 2008, 19 states plus the District of Columbia have graduation requirements at the level.
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Nineteen States & DC Require Nineteen States & DC Require a College- & Career-ready a College- & Career-ready Diploma (as of May, 2008)Diploma (as of May, 2008)
ID
AZ
UT
MT
WY
NM
CO
AL
SC
TN
KY
INOH
NC
SD
KS
NE
MN
WI
IA
IL
MO
AR
MS
OK
ND
OR
CA NV
WA
TX
PA
VA
NY
CT
WV MD
NJ
VTNH
MA
DE
RI
HI
GA
FL
ME
MI
LA
AK
LEGEND
Mandatory College-& Career-ReadyDiplomaDefault College- &Career-ReadyDiploma
DC
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State Mathematics Requirements State Mathematics Requirements 20052005
ID
AZ
UT
MT
WY
NM
CO
AL
SC
TN
KY
INOH
NC
SD
KS
NE
MN
WI
IA
IL
MO
AR
MS
OK
ND
OR
CA NV
WA
TX
PA
VA
NY
CT
WV MD
NJ
VTNH
MA
DE
RI
HI
GA
FL
ME
MI
LA
AK
DC
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1030
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Algebra I I GeometryAlgebra I Not Specified
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State Mathematics Requirements State Mathematics Requirements 20082008
65
20 20
Algebra I I GeometryAlgebra I Not Specified
ID
AZ
UT
MT
WY
NM
CO
AL
SC
TN
KY
INOH
NC
SD
KS
NE
MN
WI
IA
IL
MO
AR
MS
OK
ND
OR
CA NV
WA
TX
PA
VA
NY
CT
WV MD
NJ
VTNH
MA
DE
RI
HI
GA
FL
ME
MI
LA
AK
DC
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Closing the Mathematics Closing the Mathematics Expectations GapExpectations Gap
Achieve Projects to Assist States In Improving Mathematics Achievement:
Algebra II End-of-Course Exam Algebra I End-of-Course Exam Achieve-UT Dana Center joint website
www.utdanacenter.org/k12benchmarks math benchmarks, back mapping, model courses, sample instructional and workplace tasks
Achieve Advocacy Tools—Math at Work Brochures and other advocacy tools making the case for advanced mathematics for ALL students www.achieve.org/mathatwork
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Emerging mathematics themesEmerging mathematics themes
Algebra II is the new Algebra I, but not your grandpa’s Algebra II.
More states and districts are contemplating organizing high school mathematics in integrated courses rather than the traditional sequence.
Finding new ways to present and make mathematics relevant to students (integrated courses, CTE) without diluting rigor will enable more students to be prepared for college and good careers.
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Emerging Mathematics ThemesEmerging Mathematics Themes
Employers and postsecondary faculty place a high value on statistics, probability and data analysis.
States are increasingly interested in ensuring that their mathematics standards are internationally benchmarked to the highest performing countries in the world. Achieve is currently conducting a study to benchmark our mathematics standards and NAEP against the standards of the world’s highest performing countries.
Teacher capacity is one of the greatest challenges in making more advanced mathematics classes available to more students at the secondary level.