Standards Explained

The State Board of Education adopted the Core Standards in July 2010. Since that time, the decision was made to craft a set of PA Core Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

The PA Core Standards for mathematics focuses on developing the procedural skills and conceptual understandings students will need to succeed at higher levels. The standards show an alignment or coherence of skills from K through 12 to ensure that learning is connected from year to year and slowly builds the new understanding.

In simplified terms, the new standards ask students to think more conceptually, and to think deeper and even more thoroughly about what they're learning. The new standards go beyond basic memorization to help students truly understand what they are learning.

BASD recognizes that in order to prepare our students for future success in college or the workforce, children must go beyond rote memorization and be able to solve real world problems. Simply making math harder or introducing topics at earlier grades will not move our students in this direction. A rigorous curriculum that develops a deep, authentic command of mathematical concepts is needed to ensure our students are able to apply their knowledge to solve problems.

The Eureka Math Program meets the demands of both the National Common Core and Pennsylvania Core Standards.

Eureka is not "new" math.

The National Common Core and PA Core Standards call for conceptual understanding of key concepts, such as place value and ratios. Students must be able to access concepts from a number of perspectives in order to see math as more than a set of mnemonics or discrete procedures. The standards also call for students to use math in situations that require mathematical knowledge. Correctly applying mathematical knowledge depends on students having a solid conceptual understanding and procedural fluency.

We are making problem-solvers!

There are two types of standards for mathematics: Mathematical Content Standards and Mathematical Practice Standards.

The Mathematical Content Standards indicate WHAT students need to know while the Mathematical Practice Standards tell HOW students should apply and extend their understanding of the math content.

Mathematical Practice Standards are the foundation for mathematical thinking and practice in our classrooms. They describe the "habits of mind" of a mathematically proficient student. That is, good math habits and strategies that serve as the foundation for learning and using mathematics. They outline important processes and proficiencies that help students "think like a mathematician" and see math in the world around them.

Click here for more information on the PA Core Standards.

Click here for more information on National Common Core Standards.