IT’S ABOUT TIME® Announces Two New Editions of its Exemplary, Problem-Based, Common Core Math Curricula for 2015
New York, NY (PRWEB) November 06, 2014 -- IT’S ABOUT TIME® (“IAT”), the leading provider of National Science Foundation-funded STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curricula in the country, has released two new versions of its popular, high school, Interactive Mathematics Program® (“IMP”) curricula in time for the 2014-2015 school year.
The two new editions of the problem-based curricula (developed to offer United States school districts and teachers maximum flexibility), represent a significant revision of IAT’s exemplary IMP® 2nd Edition (published 2009-2012). This is the curriculum educators have been asking for in order to meet both the Common Core State Standards Traditional Pathway and the Integrated Pathway and to prepare students for college and STEM careers.
Even more than that, IMP is (and always has been), the only curricula that truly combines the problem-based teaching methods with real-world scenarios that build critical thinking, problem-solving, inquiry, teamwork, and communication skills in students necessary for jobs of the future. Notes Laurie Kreindler (coFounder and Managing Partner of IAT), "We are thrilled to be partnering with school districts around the country on this truly authentic problem-based approached. Now that we can offer both the traditional pathway and the integrated pathway, we have a truly sustainable professional development through our online CyberPD site."
Two IMPs Are Better Than One
During a research-based pilot, over the past several months, educators have already begun expressing their approval of the release of two IMP editions and the flexibility they provide:
IMP: Meaningful Math: Adopts a traditional sequence (Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2). It features revised content from IMP 2nd Edition that meets CCSSM but still retains the integrity and intent of the original IMP. Additionally, one new unit, Geometry by Design, has been added. This version’s units are arranged into Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 courses in a manner that satisfies CCSSM Appendix A and PARCC’s (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Carriers) recommended sequencing. Units that are both in IMP 2015 and Meaningful Mathematics are identical.
IMP 2015: A new, integrated series with a four-year sequence of high-school mathematics (. It builds on top of original content from IMP® 2nd Edition with new content that addresses all Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (“CCSSM”). One all-new unit, Geometry by Design, has been added. Most units have been revised for CCSSM compliance but so they have the original intent and integrity of the original IMP. By the end of Year 3, IMP 2015 addresses all standards that CCSSM Appendix A recommends addressing in Math 1–Math 2–Math 3. Additionally, by the time Year 4 ends, IMP 2015 addresses all High School CCSSM standards.
Will students finally embrace math and reach their full potential?
The U.S. Department of Education has recognized IMP for its ability to empower students of diverse backgrounds for STEM postsecondary and career opportunities. Most high-school students are taught mathematics with traditional, memorization-based curricula. IMP and Meaningful Math stand out for its deeper application of the Common Core Standards and Practices that extends beyond just alignment. It makes use of real-life situations to challenge students to deepen their understanding of key concepts through essential inquiry, reasoning, and problem-solving in a team setting – the very skills needed for STEM careers and innovative jobs of the future.
The Architects
IMP was originally developed in 1997 after more than 10 years of extensive research, pilot testing, evaluating, field testing, revising, and detailed reviewing by a world-class authors and an advisory board of educators and mathematicians including:
- Sherry Fraser, Author, Interactive Mathematics Program
- Lynne Alper, Author, Interactive Mathematics Program
- Dan Fedel, Author, Interactive Mathematics Program
- Diane Resek, Author, Interactive Mathematics Program
- David Blackwell, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, University of California, Berkeley
- Constance Clayton, Professor of Pediatrics, Chief, Division of Community Health Care, Medical College of Pennsylvania
- Tom Ferrio, Manager, Professional Calculators, Texas Instruments
- Andrew Gleason, Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, Department of Mathematics, Harvard University
- Milton A. Gordon, President and Professor of Mathematics, California State University, Fullerton
- Shirley Hill, Curator's Professor of Education and Mathematics, School of Education, University of Missouri
- Steven Leinwand, Mathematics Consultant, Connecticut Department of Education
- Art McArdle, Northern California Surveyors Apprentice Committee
- Diane Ravitch (1994 only), Senior Research Scholar, Brookings Institute
- Roy Romer (1992–1994 only), Governor, State of Colorado
- Karen Sheingold, Research Director, Educational Testing Service
- Theodore R. Sizer, Chairman, Coalition of Essential Schools
- Gary D. Watts, Educational Consultant
About IT'S ABOUT TIME®
Founded in 1996, IT'S ABOUT TIME specializes in creating research-based Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum solutions for K-12 and college students, and partners with school districts to help educators adopt and implement them using project-based methods. Modeled on the way that practicing scientists, engineers and mathematicians conduct research, these solutions give educators tools to create a joyful learning environment and deepen student engagement and problem-solving skills. This year, IAT's curricula solutions have empowered over 14,000 teachers and 1.4 million students.
Charlie Oliver, Served Fresh Media, http://servedfreshmedia.net, 347-736-5083, [email protected]
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