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Mathematics Standards Committee

Summary of Proceedings

March 16-17, 2004

The Committee met on March 16-17 in Albany with 21 of 24 members present and did the following:

·  Discussed briefly the reflections of certain higher education faculty, contacted by one Committee member, about what incoming students should know and be able to do. This discussion progressed into one about problem solving:  what it is, how it is or isn't taught and the implications for testing.

·     Continued discussions of content by strand to capture key ideas and begin by grade or grade cluster delineations.  One key element of discussion was the packaging of math in grades 8-12.

·       Received a presentation by Doug Clements, Professor - Department of Learning and Instruction at SUNY Buffalo.  Dr. Clements is an expert in cognitive development and learning trajectories in mathematics, especially pre-kindergarten through primary grades.  The Committee then had an extensive question-and-answer exchange with Dr. Clements.

·        Identified and discussed certain big ideas/tough issues that have emerged from discussion.

·        Agreed to continue developing grade-by-grade key ideas/content between now and the April meeting -- including translating the ideas into actual problems.