New math curriculum aimed at increasing test scores

It also allows math to cross into other subjects, such as science and social studies, and is part of the district’s five-year curriculum redevelopment plan.

By: Eileen Oldfield
   The Board of Education had its first look at a planned new math curriculum for all Manville schools at its Tuesday meeting.
   The new curriculum covers all grades, and includes pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, math applications, foundations of mathematics, pre-calculus, and calculus.
   According to Supervisor of Curriculum Barbara Popp, the new program meets state requirements and is designed to prepare students for standardized test questions.
   "The curriculum has students apply skills," said Ms. Popp. "The state is not just asking for correct answers — they’re looking for students to apply the skills."
   The curriculum also allows math to cross into other subjects, such as science and social studies, and is part of the district’s five-year curriculum redevelopment plan.
   "It’s all for the better to help with the test scores," said Curriculum Committee Chairman and Board of Education President Louis Petzinger.
   The curriculum, named Hands-On Math, features essential questions that can be answered in a variety of ways. Essential questions are designed to stimulate thinking, and get children to view problems in different ways. Each unit in the program has a performance task as well; the tasks are different for each unit.
   Details on the cost or materials that will be needed to implement the new curriculum were not available.
   According to Ms. Popp, the tasks help assess children’s progress, and allow students to view math in real-life situations. The system allows teachers to integrate concepts learned in prior math classes, and lets teachers review concepts when students have trouble.
   In the upper levels, the curriculum offers honors courses, though students in advanced-placement calculus may be sent to Raritan Valley Community College for that class. Ms. Popp said the district is looking at the number of students in advanced-placement calculus to determine how many would be sent to the college.