The Mathematics Curriculum in Primary and Lower Secondary Grades
In the United States, the curriculum frameworks of individual states vary. Mathematics standards across the states increasingly emphasize learning mathematical content in the context of real-world situations while also focusing on computational thinking and mathematical fluency to solve problems and foster a deeper understanding.21
Many state curricula are moving toward a more unified approach. The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM)f were developed in order to bring greater focus and coherence to the teaching of mathematics. While not all states have adopted the CCSSM, and they are only guidelines for states in the development of their curriculum frameworks, they have widely influenced mathematics education in the United States. They describe knowledge and skills that mathematics educators at all levels should seek to develop in their students. In addition, the Council of Chief State School Officers has developed a list of tools, resources, and practices to help states implement Common Core State Standards.22
Exhibits 2 and 3 (on the following pages) summarize the topics that were commonly included in states’ mathematics curricula during the 2014–2015 school year. The mathematics topics in the exhibits are based on the TIMSS 2015 Curriculum Questionnaires, the curriculum frameworks for five of the most populous states—California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas—and the CCSSM.f Exhibit 2 focuses on upper elementary school (the Grades 3 to 5 band), and Exhibit 3 focuses on middle school (the Grades 6 to 8 band) in order to cover the mathematics topics that are generally included in the curriculum frameworks for the two TIMSS grades (Grades 4 and 8). These grade bands were selected because the curriculum grade structure in the United States varies by state for both mathematics and science, and some topics are taught across grade levels.
Additional topics not included in the exhibits appear in some states’ curricula. Moreover, specific curriculum frameworks at the state and district levels may include detailed grade-level instructional benchmarks, approaches to learning, and instructional resource material.
Exhibit 2: Mathematics Curriculum Topics in Upper Elementary School*
Area of Mathematics | Topics |
Numbers |
|
Geometry |
|
Measurement and Data |
|
NOTE: Curriculum topics listed in this exhibit are based on the TIMSS 2015 Curriculum Questionnaire; the state curriculum frameworks in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas; and the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). With the exception of Texas, these states, along with 39 others, had adopted the CCSSM as of 2013.23 The topics listed are not exhaustive, as curriculum frameworks vary by state.
Exhibit 3: Mathematics Curriculum Topics in Middle School*
Area of Mathematics | Topics |
Numbers |
|
Algebra |
|
Geometry |
|
Statistics and Probability |
|
NOTE: Curriculum topics listed in this exhibit are based on the TIMSS 2015 Curriculum Questionnaire; the state curriculum frameworks in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas; and the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). With the exception of Texas, these states, along with 39 others, had adopted the CCSSM as of 2013.24 The topics listed are not exhaustive, as curriculum frameworks vary by state.
- f Curriculum frameworks for the five states include Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/cf/draft2mathfwchapters.asp); Mathematics Florida Standards (http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5390/urlt/0081015-mathfs.pdf); Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Mathematics (http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/math/0311.pdf); New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards for Mathematics