March 3, 2010

President's Message
Beyond Standards: Coherence
It’s about Students’ Learning and Understanding of Mathematics!
Are we paying sufficient attention to students’ coherent mathematical learning while the media and current policymakers focus attention on the Common Core State Standards Initiative and on reports of groups of states banding together into consortia to contract for assessment packages?

We know that too many of our students leave our schools with a vision of mathematics as a set of unconnected and independent facts with no clear sense of how the ideas fit together nor of how mathematics can help them earn a living, guide them as citizens, or affect their daily lives. You, the Council, and I have the responsibility to see that our students receive a coherent mathematical experience as they progress through the grades, one that expands their vision of mathematics and their connections to it. Read more...

Happy 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419... Day!
Every year on March 14, math enthusiasts the world over celebrate Pi Day, elevating pi to superstar status. We’ve gathered resources and ideas for you to share with your students so that everyone can have fun with this quirky holiday—and you can teach some interesting math as well!

NCTM’s Newest Titles!
Focus in Prekindergarten: Teaching with Curriculum Focal Points describes and illustrates learning paths for the mathematical concepts and skills of each prekindergarten focal point as presented in Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8 Mathematics: A Quest for Coherence.

Focus in Kindergarten: Teaching with Curriculum Focal Points includes powerful representational supports for teaching and learning that can facilitate understanding, stimulate productive discussions about mathematical thinking, and provide a foundation for fluency in the core ideas.

Take Advantage of All Your Benefits
Did you know that NCTM members receive full access to the online Principals and Standards for School Mathematics? This landmark publication not only provides valuable guidance and concepts but also is broken down by grade band to facilitate your search for activities and lessons. Make sure you’re taking advantage of all that your membership provides!

February Board Meeting Report
The NCTM Board of Directors met February 18–20 in Reston, Virginia. At its meeting, the Board accomplished the following:

• Approved an operating budget for the 2011 fiscal year (June 1, 2010–May 31, 2011). The budget includes no increase in NCTM membership dues.
• Considered recommendations from the High School Reasoning and Sense Making Working Group for initiatives to achieve the vision of high school mathematics education set forth in NCTM’s Focus in High School Mathematics: Reasoning and Sense Making. Initiatives would include assembling a video library of examples of exemplary teaching and organizing a conference on reasoning and sense making.
• Discussed an NCTM response to the Common Core State Standards Initiative and comments on the current draft standards.
• Discussed possible collaboration with the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators on a peer-reviewed journal for teacher educators and formed a group to assess the issue further.
• Established a task force to consider recommendations for future NCTM Yearbooks.
• Established a task force to consider program innovations at NCTM conferences.
• Approved the 2010 NCTM Legislative Platform.

May 1 Deadline for MT Focus Issue
The deadline is fast approaching for submitting manuscripts for the Mathematics Teacher Focus Issue on Teaching Geometry. Please submit your manuscript by May 1, 2010, for the 2011 Focus Issue. Learn more about the call for manuscripts.   

Call for Manuscript for TCM Focus Issue
The Teaching Children Mathematics editorial panel is seeking manuscripts on children’s mathematical reasoning for the October 2011 Focus Issue on the value of “Why?” Submit completed manuscripts by July 31, 2010.

JRME is Coming Soon!
The weeklong shuttering of all businesses in the Nation’s Capital in early February as a result of record-breaking snowstorms delayed the production of NCTM’s journals: Teaching Children Mathematics, Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, Mathematics Teacher, and the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education. We’ve done our best to catch up, but we want you to know that your April and May school journals and your March JRME issue could be a week late getting to your door.

March 12 Is the Last Day to Save!
Reward yourself by enhancing your professional skills and knowledge at NCTM’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego. This is your opportunity to focus intensively on mathematics education and find support and assistance with the challenges that you face daily. The San Diego Annual Meeting is your pathway to a more successful mathematics teaching experience. Register today and save up to 25%. The pre-registration deadline is March 12.



Will President Obama speak at your graduation this spring?
On February 19, the White House and the Department of Education announced the Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge and invited public schools across the country to compete to have President Obama speak at their graduations this spring. More information is available online at www.whitehouse.gov/commencement, including a video message from the president and the application form. Additionally a press release from the White House explains the challenge in more detail. The deadline to enter this contest is March 15.

Free Live Webinar
Join experts for an in-depth discussion of Overcoming Barriers to 1-to-1 Computing on Thursday, March 4, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET. The webinar will also be available "on demand" anytime 24 hours after the event. Free registration is now open. Learn more...


The Legislative Update is a twice-monthly summary to keep you abreast of major education policy developments affecting math education. 

The Capitol Report is a digest of what’s happening on Capitol Hill, at the Department of Education, and the work of education organizations that affects teachers, administrators, and school districts.



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