Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District has adopted the College Preparatory Mathematics, known as CPM for grades 6-12.
CPM provides problem-based instructional materials and professional development for teachers. CPM was originally an Eisenhower-funded grant program. CPM teaching strategies focus on how students best learn and retain mathematics. Teaching strategies rely on the recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and are based solidly on the methodological research in teaching mathematics.
The research-based principles that guide the course are:
While students are solving complex mathematical problems, they are communicating their thinking and understanding, both formally and informally, whether they are writing or speaking out loud. Communication helps to clarify students’ thinking, prepares them for sharing their ideas in professional settings, and formal or informal feedback that allows for revision. Communication lets teachers and peers assess students’ thinking and depth of understanding. In turn, all students get the chance to improve the quality of their work.
The design of the book recognizes that not all students learn at the same pace. Research-based “spaced practice” addresses this reality by giving students the opportunity, in both classwork and homework, to practice, revisit, and eventually master and then extend ideas that may have been difficult at first. The classroom structure allows considerable opportunities for teachers to work individually with students who need assistance.
The spaced practice structure of the homework assures that students practice ideas and skills over time to consolidate their knowledge for long-term retention. Each homework set contains work with the topics just introduced, as well as problems to practice, extend, and apply previously learned skills and concepts. Online homework help—solved problems, hints to get started, and references to previously solved problems—are available at www.cpm.org to provide additional support for students and parents.
CPM Educational Program is supported by an extensive and growing research base. CPM’s research base includes foundational educational research that supports CPM’s core principles as well as ongoing studies on the efficacy and implementation of CPM curriculum. Link to more information on CPM's Research Base