Save the Date!
53rd Georgia Mathematics Conference
Rock Eagle 4-H Center
October 17-19, 2012
Election Results
President-Elect Dan Funsch
VP for Constitution and Policy Patti Barrett
VP for Advocacy Shelly Allen
Secretary Debbie Kohler
Tournament Results
Congratulations to Northview High School for winning the GCTM State High School Mathematics Tournament Saturday, April 30. Congratulations to Dodgen Middle School for winning the GCTM Middle School Mathematics Tournament Saturday, April 23, 2011.
Voices Were Heard!
On Wednesday, March 9, at 1:00 p.m., the State Board of Education held a public hearing at the DOE Twin Tower offices in Atlanta to receive public comments regarding State Superintendent Barge’s proposal to allow schools the option of having a “traditional” pathway along with or instead of the current integrated GPS in high school. Three new courses are proposed: GPS Algebra, GPS Geometry, and GPS Advanced Algebra, as well as a support course for each. Over 45 people signed up to speak and more than that filled the room. Although only 12 teachers took advantage of the grant, GCTM members were well represented and stated their opinions clearly.
The State Board of Education voted to let both options be available next year, the last official year of GPS. (In 2012, we start CCGPS.) More details about this are coming soon, but this slide helps show a flowchart of the changes: http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/Mathematics%20Sequence%20Chart.ppt?p=6CC6799F8C1371F6FD4D2E45DD34C434FAEA4843E25DC8C3AA06454DC9E816FB&Type=D
Decisions about the CCGPS have not been made, yet, but the curriculum is being written and it should be available soon. For one model of the propsed CCSS, see https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=1262&AID=245076&MID=15932 The actual Georgia standards will be posted as soon as they are available.
Decisions were also made about the graduation tests. Follow this link to read about that. http://gadoe.org/pea_communications.aspx?ViewMode=1&obj=2032
GCTM Awards
Each year the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (GCTM) honors math educators who’ve made a difference in the lives of our students. Nominating is easy, just follow this link http://www.gctm.org/Grants_and_Awards to see the various awards that GCTM offers. Let me draw your attention to two awards in particular…the Teacher of Promise, this is for a new teacher (at most 3 years experience) that demonstrates qualities of excellence. This is a great opportunity to recognize the great math teachers at your school and encourage their professional growth. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Melanie Helms, GCTM Vice President of Honors and Awards at MHelms@gctm.org.
Common Core Standards
A set of Common Core State Standards for mathematics, K–12, developed through the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association (NGA), was released on June 2. The intent of the Common Core Standards is to ensure that every American student graduates from high school with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the 21st century.
In response to these standards, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and three of its Affiliates -- the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM), the Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics (ASSM), and the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) -- issued a joint statement. This joint statement can be found at http://www.nctm.org/news/content.aspx?id=26088.
Be an advocate for mathematics education!
Do you need to contact a state political leader about some issue that affects you, your students, our schools, and mathematics education? If so, go to http://www.legis.state.ga.us/ for contact information.
GCTM now has a Facebook group as another way for GCTM members to communicate with each other. Click the link above or search for "GCTM" in Facebook to find the group.
Announcements Please look at the announcements page for information about Infusing the Classroom with Reasoning and Sense Making. This interactive institute will be in Orlando July 28-30th, 2011.
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