It’s out with the old and in with the new, for the better? The math department has changed its curriculum. The new school year in every math class statewide has changed its curriculum to “Common Core math” but most students call it the “new math.” In replace of the old, most students don’t have the best reviews about it. The new math is considered to be more visual and engaging, but for others, it's not effective.

Math is being taught differently than the years before. The new math curriculum was tried out last year when students were given textbooks instead of papers and students were put into groups more than before. After testing it out it was upon the students to decide if this system should stay, and the majority said yes. Many students now regret it. The new math is supposed to help students engage and understand more visually, letting students learn and soak up knowledge more at the same time while understanding the current content being taught. Work is now in textbooks you get at the beginning of the year and keep until the end, teams with roles are given to you but it's not often the students use them.

For students, they see the new curriculum Oregon brought to them as stressful. Not only do you have to put weight on yourself, there are others students now have to worry about, hoping they pull their weight because the assignments are made to be in groups. Work isn't as independent as before. Students have to not only sit and rely on their team to be as committed and present as them but also understand how their brain works when it comes to math. That can confuse us as everyone learns differently. Its hard to work with others when everyone's mind works differently. One of the math teachers Nikki Whitton stated “It's not only the way we are shown the new curriculum, it's the factor of the groups students are being put in.” With this said, Group assignments are constant and not everyone will put in the effort the team needs to succeed, Junior Aaliyah said “It's hard because people just make me do all of the work” while Sophmore JuniorI talked to in the middle of math class  have said, “I find it easier because I never have to do the work.” The new curriculum isn't balanced, when it comes to the different skill levels everyone has.

Math is not known to be an easy subject, through all the information that's been gathered from students it is a repeated quote stating “I would rather have the old math back.” This came from students I interviewed in multiple math classes. Not only is the new math a struggle for students trying to learn, but it's also a struggle having to learn with others who learn at different speeds. Common Core math is now the official math system not only in Oregon but in 44 other states. There is very little news about Common Core math leaving as more and more states are adopting it into their education for the future as well as they have been for the past ten years.