News

Model Curricula Update

Grades 6-8: Units, including newly added aligned tasks from Defined Learning can be access at GoOpenCT

Grades 3-5: Units are being reviewed by grade level teams and the launch of these units is expected in December 2022

Grades K-2: CSDE is seeking educators interested in serving on the grade level review teams. All interested individuals are asked to complete this Survey by October 28, 2022 so that we can convene teams in November to meet the anticipated launch deadline of May 2023.

Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge

It is hard to believe that it has been just over a month since we welcomed our students back. Over the summer students were encouraged to participate in the Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge. We hope that a large number of our students took advantage of this opportunity. We want to recognize schools and districts that showed exceptional participation, similar to the Governor's Reading Challenge. To do that we need data!!  Please complete the Summer Math School Reporting Form by November 4, 2022.

Defined Learning provides an open access online library of standards-aligned project-based lessons to help students meet the expectations of the standards. Each project is based on a situation in a relevant career to help students connect classroom content to career pathways. This resource if free for Connecticut educators. All you need to do is create and account and log in.

The CCSU STEM faculty is asking for your help recruiting students for a program they are conducting this year called DEEP (Discover Enjoy Explore and Practice) STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics). 

The DEEP STEM Program is an extracurricular program designed to excite high school students about careers in STEM. It is a year-long program consisting of five events in which students will have the opportunity to connect with CCSU STEM faculty and students by participating in various academic hands-on activities and events.

This opportunity will be offered to selected students from freshman to seniors, but they must  be recommended by a teacher or counselor. Students are asked to commit to attending all 4 Saturday workshops (2 in fall, 2 in spring) as well as a weeklong workshop at the end of the school year in June.  The Saturday workshops will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and will include breakfast and lunch at no cost to the student.  The June workshop will be Monday thru Friday also from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and will also include breakfast and lunch. 

There is a website with more informationand a link for registration here.  The attached flyer can be distributed at your school that contains additional information. 

This Summit is focused on early career pathways and effective K-12/business partnerships with an emphasis on STEM.  Both educators and employer partners are invited to attend. Please join ReadyCT, CBIA, and SVP-CT on Thursday, October 6, 2022 (8:15-11:45 AM) for an incredible opportunity to hear from leaders across industry on strategies and best practices related to our workforce challenge.

Performance Matters Forum: Registration is now open for this event, which will take place on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.  Check out the September edition of Performance Matters for more information. The first article in the newsletter is about PMF and includes a link to registration.  Registration is due October 5.

The 2022 Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge - Mathematics: Building the Foundation for Success is now live! You are encouraged to check out the Challenge website for all materials that you need to engage students in grades K-12 in mathematics over the summer. 

Plan Summer Learning Opportunities with CSDE and Defined Learning PBL

The CSDE in partnership with Defined Learning has designed a series of informational sessions to assist with your planning efforts and use of the Defined Learning Summer PBL Backpack for a seamless summer learning experience. Whether you are new or looking to learn more about how to effectively use Defined Learning to engage students in problem based learning or to supplement your summer learning program, these timely sessions will help assure you are ready. Register using the link https://learn.definedlearning.com/ct-pl-summer-2022  to start the summer learning planning process.  Inquiries can be sent to Chief Academic Officer Irene Parisi at Irene.Parisi@ct.gov.

The Materials & Manufacturing Summer Teachers' Institute is open to all educators and educational professionals interested in STEM and Manufacturing Professional Development. It is designed to acquaint educators with real-life applications of Manufacturing and STEM. It will be held July 21st and 22nd. Please see the attached flyer for additional information and to register.

Flyer can be found here 

Hi mathematics educators!

1) We are announcing the final workshop of the academic year which will be a week from today. The Mathematics of Trust is about game theory, decision making, and building trust in the classroom and we envision this session as a way to incorporate a mathematical activity into establishing classroom norms in the fall. See below for registration and more information.

 5/24 Registration

2) Our new Spotlight Educator is Sacha Kelly, a math teacher at the Academy of Arts and Sciences in New Britain and an artist that has contributed to many social justice murals in Connecticut. Read more about Sacha here!

3) This is a reminder that the application for our *2022 Summer Stars* cohort is due May 25th (next Wednesday). Please share with your colleagues and visit our website for more information and the application form and reach out with any questions.

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Workshop Title: The Mathematics of Trust

Date/Time: Tuesday May 24, 6:30-8:00pm (EST)

Presenters: Susan Budde, New Haven Public Schools; Evan Green, Common Ground High School

Description: Data shows that Americans’ trust in each other has attenuated significantly over the last 50 years. This investigation uses game theory, functions and bivariate data analysis to shine a light on the mathematics of trust and the systems, large and small, that support or subvert trust. Through this process, students work to create practical solutions to conflict, in both personal relationships and in larger social systems, that foster greater cooperation and disincentivize selfish behavior. The lesson is intended for high school but can be adapted to middle and elementary school.