West Irondequoit Central School District
Mathematics Guiding Principles

Mathematics education bears increasing responsibilities in a data-rich era. In a society saturated with quantitative information, high level mathematical skills will enable students to understand and make informed decisions about their world. Our math curriculum must prepare students who will be pursuing careers or avocations in science, engineering, technology, business and mathematics. In addition, we must prepare all students to be mathematically literate citizens.

Therefore, the scope and sequence of our curriculum will include, but not be limited to:

• The depth, breadth and rigor of NYS, national and international mathematics standards. The focus must be on depth of understanding rather than simply breadth of coverage.

• Explicit delineation of the essential skills and knowledge to be mastered by students at each grade level.

• Application of skills, knowledge and understandings to solve problems in rich contextual settings both within and beyond the classroom.

• Opportunities for all students to achieve to their maximum potential.

• Development of positive attitudes toward the study of mathematics.

• Consideration of the developmental nature and inherent beauty of mathematics.

• Use of extended thinking skills and higher order questioning to enhance the development of student inquiry, reasoning and problem solving abilities.

• Instruction in computational efficiency and accuracy in the context of solving problems with an ability to assess the reasonableness of answers.

• Opportunities for student collaboration, discourse, reflection and clear presentation of results.

• Learning and using the language and symbols of mathematics to communicate mathematically and to clearly demonstrate understanding in both written and oral form.

• Explicit integration within areas of mathematics, and with science, technology and other disciplines.

• Provisions for multiple and effective approaches to learning and assessment, including the use of technology.

• Assessments that promote students' abilities to demonstrate depth, flexibility and application of learning.