Integrated mathematics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Integrated mathematics is the term used in the United States to describe the style of mathematics education which integrates many topics or strands of mathematics throughout each year of secondary school. Each math course in secondary school covers topics in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and analysis. Nearly all countries throughout the world, except the United States, follow this type of curriculum.[1][2]

In the United States, topics are usually integrated throughout elementary school up to the eighth grade. Beginning with high school level courses, topics are usually separated so that one year a student focuses entirely on algebra, the next year entirely on geometry, and then another year of algebra and later an optional fifth year of analysis (calculus). The one exception in the American high school curriculum would be the fourth year of math, typically referred to as precalculus, which usually integrates algebra, analysis, trigonometry, and geometry topics. Statistics may be integrated into all the courses or presented as a separate course.

New York State has used integrated curricula since in the 1970s.[3] A few other localities in the United States have also tried such integrated curricula,[4] including Georgia.[5]

Under the new Common Core Standards set to be adopted by most states in 2012, the only difference between a traditional American sequence and an integrated sequence is the order in which the topics are taught.[6] Numerous school districts across the country are considering switching to an integrated curriculum, including communities in California,[7] as well as North Carolina, Utah and West Virginia.[8] Supporters of using integrated curricula in the United States believe that students will be able to see the connections between algebra and geometry better in an integrated curriculum, but the Common Core Standards allow either type of curriculum.

References

  1. ↑ Mullis et al. (1998), "Mathematics and Science Achievement in the Final Year of Secondary School: IEA's Third International Mathematics and Science Study", Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics 
  2. ↑ Common Core K-12 Standards Draft Appendix A
  3. ↑ Integrated Mathematics after 25 Years
  4. ↑ Hirsch, Christian R.; Zweng, Marilyn J. (1985). The Secondary School Curriculum. Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 
  5. ↑ Zehr, Mary Ann (May 25, 2005), "Georgia Adopts Integrated Math", Education Week: 20 
  6. ↑ Downey, Maureen (14 March 2011). "Math by any other name will still be harder than math of old". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 16 March 2011. 
  7. ↑ Fensterwald, John. "Districts confirm they're moving ahead with Common Core". EdSource. Retrieved 18 November 2013. 
  8. ↑ Robelen & Gewertz. "N.C. Moving to Integrated High School Math With Common Core". Education Week. Retrieved 18 November 2013. 
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.