Nebraska Dept. of Education updates math standards

A draft of new mathematics state standards for students in kindergarten to 12th grade has been released for public comment.

Betty VanDeventer, Nebraska Department of Education public information officer, said every five years, the state is mandated to update standards for all academic disciplines.

Proposed changes will make the current math standards more rigorous, she said.

In April, a draft of the standards was presented to the Nebraska State Board of Education.

Currently, representatives from the business community are reviewing the standards, VanDeventer said.

“That’s part of the ongoing process,” she explained. “And then on Aug. 4, the public will have the ability to comment at public input hearings held across the state.”

Specific locations and times are net yet available, but the date is set. More detailed information will be available in July, VanDeventer said.

Additionally, comments can be mailed – either electronically or though the postal service – to NDE throughout the summer.

The draft standards are also being reviewed by post secondary institutions to ensure they promote college and career readiness, VanDeventer said.

“The goal is to ensure that all students are college and career ready,” she said.

Once the review process is complete, the State Board of Education will vote at its September meeting whether to implement to new standards.

According to NDE, the new standards encompass the same four broad strands as in the past: number, algebra, geometry and data. But the standards have been streamlined and there will be a stronger focus on developing number sense among students in kindergarten through fifth grades.

Advanced topics have also been identified for high school students who wish to pursue postsecondary students in math, engineering, science and technology.

“Nebraska has historically been a local-control state with no mandated curriculum or textbooks,” a NDE document on the new standards states. “The standards are not meant to be a curriculum. Rather, districts are expected to align their local curriculum to the Nebraska Standards to add more specificity.”

To review the draft standards or submit comments, visit http://www.education.ne.gov/math/index.html.