Arkansas Department of Education

Mathematics

 

The Mathematics Unit is responsible for professional development opportunities aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. 

Intensive Common Core Mathematics Topics

Intensive professional development offerings are multiple session courses designed to support the implementation of Mathematics instruction aligned to the Common Core State Standards. They include:

Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI)

Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) is a three-year professional development opportunity offered by the Arkansas Department of Education, education service cooperatives, and the university STEM centers.  It is designed for K-3 teachers and special education teachers to learn a research-based framework for how elementary school children learn concepts of number and operation.  For more information, see CGI in Related Files. 

Extending Children’s Mathematics (ECM)

Extending Children’s Mathematics (ECM) is a three-year professional development opportunity offered by the Arkansas Department of Education, education service cooperatives, and the university STEM centers under the guidance of the Teacher Development Group.  ECM is designed to enhance teachers’ ability to teach math for understanding by increasing their understanding of students’ mathematical thinking.  The content focus is Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Number and Operations in Base Ten, Number and Operations – Fractions, The Number System, and Expressions and Equations as described in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for grades 3-6.  Through a focus on students’ thinking, teachers improve their ability to implement the Standards for Mathematical Practice as described in CCSS. ECM develops teachers’ ability to use any curriculum to teach math for understanding.  For more information, see ECM in Related Files. 

Mathematics Design Collaborative (MDC)

Mathematics Design Collaborative (MDC) is a professional development opportunity offered by the Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Department of Career Education, education service cooperatives, and the university STEM centers in partnership with the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).  It focuses on providing students with rigorous, engaging Mathematical learning experiences.  It utilizes the Shell Centre’s Math Formative Assessment Lessons (FALs) as a medium cycle Assessment for Learning. For more information, see Mathematics Design Collaborative in Related Files.

Targeted Common Core Mathematics Topics

Targeted Common Core Mathematics topics are professional learning opportunities focused on the big shifts in instruction under the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Targeted Mathematics topics may be available face-to-face at local education service cooperatives, STEM center, or district.  These topics will also be available through asynchronous Moodle courses offered throughout the year through local education service cooperatives, as well as statewide.  See Link to Arkansas IDEAS/Common Core for statewide calendar of offerings.  For more information on these mathematics topics, see the Related Files for Targeted Mathematics. 

 

For more information, please contact: