Georgia Tech Provost Supports Change in Ga. K-12 Math

Statement by Dr. Gary Schuster, Provost of the Georgia Institute of Technology, in support of a change in Georgia’s math curriculum:

I believe that working to make sure that every child has the opportunity to reach his or her educational potential is our obligation and a critical investment in Georgia’s future. A stronger mathematics curriculum that strikes a balance between concepts, skills and problem solving is a vital part of preparing our young people for the global economy of the 21st century. Georgia Tech continues to support mathematics education throughout the state with our Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC). CEISMC (pronounced “seismic") is committed to helping assure that K-12 students in Georgia receive the best possible preparation in science, mathematics and technology as they seek their place in the modern world.

Bibb, Hall, and Columbia County Schools Adopt Carnegie Learning’s Custom Georgia Math Programs

BusinessWire -

Carnegie Learning, Inc., a leading publisher of research-based math curricula for middle schools, high schools, and the higher education market, announced today that the company’s Georgia Math I & 2 programs have been purchased by three Georgia school districts -- Bibb, Hall, and Columbia County Schools. Carnegie Learning’s customized Georgia Math curricula are designed, specifically, to meet new, more rigorous high school math requirements being implemented by the Georgia Department of Education beginning in fall 2008.

In November 2007, the Georgia State Board of Education’s Learning Resources Advisory Committee recommended Carnegie Learning’s integrated math curricula for use in Georgia, and districts across the state are currently selecting new math textbooks as part of the textbook adoption process. Bibb, Hall, and Columbia County Schools are three of many districts in Georgia purchasing Carnegie Learning textbooks and Professional Development services. Bibb and Hall Counties also purchased Carnegie Learning’s Cognitive Tutor® software for Math Support, an intelligent software program that provides differentiated instruction by adapting the learning path to each student’s understanding of mathematical concepts.

"The changes in the Georgia Performance Standards will require a change in expectations for students, teachers, districts and the Georgia Department of Education,” said Sharon Patterson, Superintendent, Bibb County School District. “In responding to the changing expectation, the school system sought a math solution that was research-based around a collaborative teaching model. The Carnegie Learning approach seems to deliver the math curricula we need to meet the new challenges."

Carnegie Learning’s Cognitive Tutor research is well supported in the Learning Processes subcommittee report of the recent National Math Advisory Panel report to the President and U.S. Secretary of Education, and is cited as an example of a curriculum that has strong evidence of effectiveness and is a model for applying basic research in the classroom.