A Vision for Mathematics

Our shared commitment is that every student receives well-planned, well-executed mathematics instruction that consistently reflect our vision of active engagement in thought provoking tasks, productive discussion about mathematical ideas and common misconceptions, and the individual and collective construction of understanding via problem solving and inquiry. This commitment implies that teachers will plan their lessons around rich tasks that are supported by targeted questions and powerful lessons debrief discussions. Such lessons are diametrically opposite the "I show, we practice, you do" model of direct instruction that essentially tells students what to remember and how to get right answers. For example, the "trick" to "invert and multiply" works in the short-term, but does not support mathematics as a sense-making enterprise and does not foster an inherent love of mathematics and its power and beauty.