Common Core State Standards Essay

The world of mathematics is changing and with it comes the integration of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), the five process standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and the 21st Century Learning skills that all teachers and students must now have an in-depth knowledge of. In their pathway for teachers, these three standards have woven a framework of instruction that can help instill a deep conceptual knowledge of mathematics to actively promote students to think more critically. The main focal point of the CCSS is to advocate values about learning math by contributing different standards that will focus on conceptual understanding in which students must participate. Within the CCSS mathematics framework,

This is very apparent when mathematics scores are compared to other countries. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (2012), the United States scored lower in mathematics for 15-year-olds than the other countries tested. Only two states, Massachusetts and Connecticut, had higher average scores than the U.S. scores. The results of the 2007 reports of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) writing assessment (NCES 2008), given to 8th graders show a gain in their writing scores. Evidence reported showed that the content areas in which writing was used, students showed an increase in achievement. There has been an enormous need for students to understand mathematics. Therefore, why not use this same method (writing) in mathematics? Writing across the curriculum (WAC) is used to demonstrate knowledge among the students in all of the disciplines. Writing promotes student participation, active engagement, communication, and students are able to think more critically. The NCTM has realized that writing is now an important component in mathematics. Their Principles and Standards for Schools