SciMathMN

Minnesota Starts Review of Mathematics Standards

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First Review of What Students Should Learn in Math Since 2007

Minnesota initiated its first review of state standards in mathematics education since 2007 November 18 with the first meeting of the mathematics standards review committee. The committee is a 36 member group made up of public school teachers from both traditional and charters schools along with representatives from both the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State system and come from a variety of schools across the state. Four members appointed by the Tribal Nations Education Committee will join the group at their December meeting. The day’s activities were led by Sara Van Der Werf, the new Minnesota Department of Education’s new mathematics specialist.

The group started their day with a presentation by Dr. Eric Milou, a professor of mathematics curriculum and instruction at Rowan University and one of the authors of the National Council of Teachers of Math Catalyzing Change series emphasizing deepening students’ mathematics understanding, identity, and doing so in an equitable way.

Group conversation points included wondering if all students need Algebra II as currently required by state statute, should schools continue to track students in mathematics, how to develop more exploratory learning with students, how the standards will incorporate computer science and how to support teachers in implementing those computer science standards.

Doug Paulson, Assistant Director Academic Standards, Instruction, and Assessment reminded committee members that Minnesota is a local control state and that they are explicitly prohibited from determining the delivery system, classroom assessments, or forms of instruction that schools must use. The purpose of this process is the creation of rigorous academic standards for Minnesota’s public school students.

Jennifer Dugan, Director of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment reviewed with the committee their meeting schedule and the target of a final draft presented to the Commissioner in August 2022. The committees first draft is scheduled for release in February 2022 and will include only the proposed standards.  A public engagement process will follow that release including town halls and online comment opportunities.  The second draft, incorporating the public input, will include proposed frameworks including technology and information literacy standards. The frameworks by law focus on college and career readiness.

The committee finished the day breaking into a set of small groups examining other standards including the PISA, NAEP, and standards from the states of Oregon, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, and the frameworks from California. That activity will continue when the committee reconvenes December 7.

A roster of committee members, links to guiding assumption documents, meeting timeline and more can be found at the Minnesota Department of Education Mathematics page.

 

STEM Day at the Minnesota State Fair makes successful return

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After a year’s hiatus due the State Fairs Covid-19 related cancellation STEM Day at the Minnesota State Fair successfully returned this year.

First day Fair attendance was hampered by many Minnesotans having concerns about the Fair acting as a risky event for pandemic transmission in large crowds given the lack of vaccine or masking requirements by the Fair governing body.   Opening day was additionally hampered by a rightly ominous weather forecast.  Attendance on opening day was 46% of the 2019 opening day.  2021 attendance for the run of the full 12 days was 61% of the 2019 record year.  STEM Day attendance mirrored the Fair, with our tracking of exhibit area visitors of 7700 before a rain storm forcing an abrupt close to the event around 2:30 p.m.

A survey of STEM Day exhibitors shows that participants were very pleased with the event.  78% of respondents indicated that their organizations goals for the day were well met or very well met.  87% of respondents indicated that their organization would apply to participate again next year.  Exhibitors were strongly positive about event management with 93% giving it their strongest rank in the survey.  Over 25% of exhibitors were first time participants keeping the event fresh for families who consistently attend the event.

A survey of visitors to STEM Day shows an almost even mix of those who plan ahead specifically to attend STEM Day as part of their Fair experience and those who discover the event once they are at the Fair.  The later are important in moving beyond those who search out STEM education opportunities for their children and instead expose and engage families who may not already identify as having an interest in STEM education. Those families may come away from the event with a new appreciation of their children’s interests.

A significant percentage of those who visited STEM Day did so based on State Fair promotion of events on site and in state newspapers.  We consider the Fair to be a strong partner and appreciate the relationship we have built over the past 12 years.  Governor Walz again proclaimed the day STEM Day at the Fair in Minnesota.

We’re grateful for all our partners in creating another successful celebration of all things STEM and highlighting to Minnesotans the opportunities for their children to explore their interests and curiosity.