Florida B.E.S.T. Standards

Does your district need math materials to support the Florida B.E.S.T. Standards? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Accelerate Learning’s STEMscopes Math for Florida.

Accelerate Learning’s STEMscopes Math is a comprehensive mathematics program for grades K-5. The materials are primarily digital, with a supplemental student print version and Teacher Print Kits available. Learning List recently reviewed the materials, designed specifically for Florida.

The program makes intentional connections to math concepts as they are found in the everyday world. Scopes support student learning through a clear reflection of the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) model. Lessons require students to think critically, reflect, and collaborate. The goal of the program is to provide meaningful learning experiences that focus on 21^st century skills and support student success in STEM careers.

A recent report from Curriculum Associates discusses the Every Student Succeeds Act’s (ESSA) requirement that federal education funds be used for evidence-based programs, interventions, and products. “ESSA and Evidence Claims: A Practical Guide to Understanding What ‘Evidence-Based’ Really Means” provides a primer for educators in understanding the four levels of evidence recognized by ESSA (e.g., moderate evidence), the type of study that exemplifies each level (e.g., quasi-experimental), and the five questions educators should ask when evaluating research-based evidence (e.g., “When was the study conducted?”).

One of five questions for evaluating evidence, in particular, caught Learning List’s attention: “Was the study based on current content and standards?”

ESSA assumes that the evidence base for a product, program, or service is based on the state’s current standards, but it is possible that the research is grounded in prior state standards or another state’s standards, altogether. It is the district’s responsibility to vet information to ensure products purchased with federal funds and the evidence supporting the products’ effectiveness are based on the appropriate standards.

A tall order but Learning List can help.

Learning List’s alignment reports clarify which set of standards a product addresses, such as the Common Core State Standards or the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Our alignment reports evaluate the product’s alignment, determining whether the material fully addresses the content, context, and cognitive demand of each of the relevant standards. Thus, Learning List’s alignment reports provide strong evidence about whether a product is grounded in the relevant standards. [Read more…]

New Curriculum Review: Accelerate Learning’s STEMscopes Math for Florida

How Learning List Helps Districts Comply with ESSA’s “Evidence Based” Requirement