Students Must Demonstrate Math Proficiency
A Reform Movement for the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics
The adoption of new state standards in Mathematics has proven to be a reform movement for the teaching and learning of mathematics long called for by leading math educators. Indeed, what students are expected to be able to do and know has significantly changed from previous state standards. Student knowledge of content must be deeply rooted in conceptual understanding. The expectations for students to learn and show proficiency in mathematics, thus, include developing the "habits of mind" of mathematicians.
These expectations are laid out in a set of standards complementary to the content standards known as Standards for Mathematical Practice. Generally speaking, these Process Standards (as they are known in some non-CCSS-M states, such as Indiana), describe the actions and proficiencies of mathematicians and are a framework through which students are to engage with and learn mathematics. These practice standards are the game changer in mathematics education.
Standards for Mathematical Practice or Process Standards
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
Reason abstractly and quantitatively
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
Model with mathematics
Use appropriate tools strategically
Attend to precision
Look for and make use of structure
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning
