Schools

OpEd: Difficult Common Core Transition Not Going Away

The implementation of the Standards has had a profound impact on the mathematics curriculum in the Marin County schools, from Kindergarten through High School, Scott Rubin addressees impact.

By: Scott Rubin, Mathnasium

The Common Core Standards are a topic of much discussion lately.  The effects the standards will have, both beneficial and adverse, are hotly debated.  But one fact is clear: the Standards are here and parents, students and teachers all over California are working with them every day.  Nearly all Marin County schools have implemented the Standards as of the beginning of this school year.

The implementation of the Standards has had a profound impact on the mathematics curriculum in the Marin County schools, from Kindergarten through High School.  Classes like Geometry and Algebra 2 have had their course curricula radically changed from what they had been for decades.  Elementary grades have seen many math concepts moved from one grade to another while other math concepts have been moved to the middle school curriculum or altogether eliminated.

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While the efficacy of such changes remains to be seen, one thing is clear: students, parents and teachers alike will need to deal with a difficult transition period over the next few years.

At Mathnasium, we use our own proprietary curriculum which focuses on developing a strong mathematical foundation for Algebra and beyond.  Our approach follows the Standards but allows us more freedom to address each child as an individual.  We create a personalized learning plan for each individual student, designed to strengthen any weakness the student may have in his or her developmental framework.  We are able to use a diverse array of teaching methods to ensure each student has the opportunity to learn math in a way that makes sense to them.  We give each student the best opportunity for success in the math classroom…by any standard.

Find out what's happening in Mill Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Since Aug 2012, Mathnasium of Mill Valley has helped over 150 students in Marin County (and San Francisco) from both private and public schools achieve greater success in their math classes.  Email (MillValley@Mathnasium.com) or call (415-384-8272) for more information.


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