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Report Overview
Summary of Alignment & Usability: Carnegie Learning Math Series | Math
Math 6-8
The instructional materials reviewed for Grades 6-7 do not meet the expectations for alignment to the CCSSM. The materials reviewed for Grade 8 partially meet expectations for alignment. The materials devote insufficient time to the major work for grades 6 and 7 and do not meet the expectations for coherence. These grades were not reviewed for Gateway 2 because the materials do not meet expectations for focus and coherence in Gateway 1,. The grade 8 materials partially meet the expectations for Gateway 1 in focus and coherence and were reviewed for Gateway 2. For Gateway 2, the instructional materials meet the expectations for rigor and balance but do not meet the expectations for practice-content connections.
6th Grade
View Full ReportEdReports reviews determine if a program meets, partially meets, or does not meet expectations for alignment to college and career-ready standards. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Alignment (Gateway 1 & 2)
Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Usability (Gateway 3)
7th Grade
View Full ReportEdReports reviews determine if a program meets, partially meets, or does not meet expectations for alignment to college and career-ready standards. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Alignment (Gateway 1 & 2)
Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Usability (Gateway 3)
8th Grade
View Full ReportEdReports reviews determine if a program meets, partially meets, or does not meet expectations for alignment to college and career-ready standards. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Alignment (Gateway 1 & 2)
Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Usability (Gateway 3)
Report for 7th Grade
Alignment Summary
The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 7 do not meet the expectations for alignment to the CCSSM. In Gateway 1, the instructional materials do not meet the expectations for focus on major work due to devoting an insufficient amount of time to the major work of the grade. The materials also do not meet the expectations for coherence. They partially meet the expectations for each of the following indicators within coherence: supporting content enhances focus and coherence simultaneously; being consistent with the progressions in the Standards; and fostering coherence through connections at a single grade. The materials do not meet expectations for having an amount of content that is viable for one school year. Since the materials do not meet expectations for focus and coherence in Gateway 1, they were not reviewed for evidence of rigor and the mathematical practices in Gateway 2.
7th Grade
Alignment (Gateway 1 & 2)
Usability (Gateway 3)
Overview of Gateway 1
Focus & Coherence
The instructional materials reviewed for Course 2 do not meet the expectations for focus and coherence with the CCSSM. For focus, the instructional materials do not meet the criteria for the time devoted to the major work of the grade with only 56.0 percent of the days allocated in the timeline aligning to the major work. For coherence, supporting work is sometimes connected to the focus of the grade with some missed opportunities for natural connections to be made. The amount of content for one grade level is not viable for one school year and this team does not believe it will foster coherence between the grades. Content from prior or future grades is clearly identified, but materials that relate grade level concepts to prior knowledge from earlier grades is not explicit. Overall, the materials are shaped by the CCSSM and do incorporate some natural connections, but not enough to prepare a student for upcoming grades. The material also lacks some consistency for grade-to-grade progressions, and content that is not on grade-level or supports on grade-level learning is not explicit.
Gateway 1
v1.0
Criterion 1.1: Focus
The post, chapter, and standardized assessments that are included in the Teacher's Resources and Assessments were reviewed for Course 2 and found to meet the expectations for instructional material that assesses the grade-level content and, if applicable, content from earlier grades. Content from future grades is sometimes introduced, but students should not be held accountable on assessments for those future expectations. If the future grade content was removed, it would not change the underlying structure of the assessments. Overall, the instructional material in the summative assessment items reviewed in Course 2 addressed the grade-level content in a challenging and effective manner with most units having little or no above grade level standards addressed.
Indicator 1A
The post, chapter, and standardized assessments that are included in the Teacher's Resources and Assessments were reviewed for Course 2 and found to meet the expectations for instructional material that assesses the grade-level content and, if applicable, content from earlier grades. Content from future grades is sometimes introduced, but students should not be held accountable on assessments for those future expectations. If the future grade content was removed, it would not change the underlying structure of the assessments. Overall, the instructional material in the summative assessment items reviewed in Course 2 addressed the grade-level content with most units having little or no above grade-level standards addressed.
Quality on grade-level examples are:
- Chapter 2, End of Chapter Test. Question 6 uses a real-world scenario to assess 7.RP.A.2.C by representing proportional relationships by equations and asking a student to explain their reasoning.
- Chapter 10, End of Chapter Test. Question 9 asks students to evaluate some claims made about triangles and if the claims are false, to give examples that disprove the claim. This on grade-level example fits 7.G.A.2 very well and allows for a student to work with the MPs as well.
The following items are above grade and should not be assessed, but they can be removed without drastically changing the materials:
- Chapter 6, End of Chapter Test, Question 17b. The question asks the students to graph two expressions to see if they are equivalent. It has the students using a graphing calculator when the Grade 7standards expect students to apply the properties of operations to determine equivalence between expressions.
- Chapter 9, Post Test, Question 11. Students are asked to construct a perpendicular line through a given point not on the line. This is a high school geometry standard.
Criterion 1.2: Coherence
Students and teachers using the materials as designed will not devote a majority of class time in Grade 7 to the major work of this grade. The Teacher's Implementation Guide Volume 1 and 2 reviewed for Course 2 do not meet the expectations for majority of class time on the major clusters of the grade. For example, based on the pacing (one period = 50 minutes), 51 days out of 91 days have 56.0 percent of the time spent directly on the major work of the grade.
Indicator 1B
The instructional materials reviewed for Course 2 do not meet the expectations for spending the majority of class time on the major cluster of each grade. A chapter overview was found at the beginning of each chapter. This included the standards being taught in the lesson and a suggested pacing guide. Overall the instructional materials do not meet the criteria outlined in the CCSS publisher guidelines for the majority of class time on the major clusters of each grade.
To determine the three perspectives we evaluated: 1) the number of chapters devoted to major work, 2) the number of lessons devoted to major work, and 3) the number of days devoted to major work. It was decided that the number of days devoted to major work is the most reflective for this indicator because it specifically addresses the amount of class time spent on concepts and our conclusion was drawn through this data.
Evidence was determined from the Contents Pages FM-6 through FM-56 and the number of days suggested in each chapter overview found in the the Teacher Implementation Guide written by the publisher.
- Chapters – 10 out of 17 chapters, or approximately 58.8 percent of time is spent on major work.
- Lessons – 47 out of 81 lessons, approximately 58.0 percent of time is spent on major work.
- Days – 51 out of 91 days, or approximately 56.0 percent of time is spent on major work.
The major work of the grade is:
- 7.RP.A- Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
- 7.NS.A- Apply and extend previous understandings of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers.
- 7.EE.A- Use properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions.
- 7.EE.B- Solve real-life and mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations.
All numbers are based on number of days on major work listed above.
Modules and Chapters that contain these Standards are:
- Module 1 (Focus on Ratios and Proportional Reasoning): Chapter 1- 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 (6 days); Chapter 2- 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4,2.5, 2.6, 2.7 (9 days).
- Module 2 (Focus on Ratio work with Percents and Integer Operations): Chapter 3- 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 (5 days); Chapter 4- 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 (5 days): Chapter 5- 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 (5 days).
- Module 3 (Focus on Expressions and Equations): Chapter 6-6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 (5 days); Chapter 7- 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5 (6 days); Chapter 8- 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6 (7 days).
- Module 4 (Focus on Expressions and Equations through Geometry): Chapter 10- 10.1 (1 day).
- Module 5 (Focus on Expressions and Equations through Geometry): Chapter 12- 12.3, 12.4 (2 days).
Criterion 1.3: Coherence
The instructional materials reviewed for Course 2 partially meet the expectations for being coherent and consistent with the standards. Supporting work is sometimes connected to the focus of the grade with some missed opportunities for natural connections to be made. The amount of content for one grade level is not viable for one school year, and the materials do not foster coherence between the grades. Content from prior or future grades is clearly identified, and materials that relate grade level concepts to prior knowledge from earlier grades is not explicit. Overall, the materials are shaped by the CCSSM and incorporate some natural connections that will prepare a student for upcoming grades. However, the material does lack some consistency for grade-to-grade progressions, and content that is not on grade level or supports on grade level learning is not explicit.
Indicator 1C
The instructional materials reviewed for Course 2 partially meet the expectations for the non-major content enhancing focus and coherence simultaneously by engaging students in the major work of the grade. In some cases, the non-major work enhances the major work of the grade level, while other areas could be stronger.
Non-major Clusters of the Grade 7 are:
- 7.SP.A - Use random sampling to draw inferences about a population.
- 7.SP.C - Investigate chance processes and develop, use, and evaluate probability models.
- 7.G.A - Draw, construct and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.
- 7.G.B - Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume.
- 7.SP.B - Draw informal comparative inferences about two populations.
Evidence of non-major content enhancing focus and coherence and supporting a partially meets score are:
- 7.RP.2 is supported by 7.G.1 in lesson 2, lesson 3 and lesson 4 of Chapter 11 and on pages 553-580 in the Teacher's Implementation Guide, volume 2.
- Ratios and proportions are also used with scale drawings in Chapter 11's pre-test, post-test, end of the chapter test and standardized test practice. Tests are found on pages 1205-1220 in the Teacher's Resources and Assessment book, volume 2.
- 7.G.2 and 7.G.5 support 7.EE.B in:
- Chapter 9, lesson 9.3, has students solve equations that are created by using the concepts of complements, supplements, midpoints, perpendiculars, and perpendicular bisectors (Teacher Implementation Guide, page 485).
Examples of missed opportunities:
- Chapter 16, lesson 3, there are proportions used to answer questions about the data. Students could have been asked to make inferences using ratios and proportions in more of the lessons and questions.
- Chapters 15, 16 and 17 on statistics and probability are treated separately without connecting the standards to the major work of the grade.
Though there are some connections to major work, the majority of non-major clusters are taught in isolation and are only very loosely, if at all, support the major work of this grade level. Several times, Course 2 misses important opportunities to engage students in the major work of Grade 7, even at spots that offer a natural opportunity to do so such as in lesson 3 of Chapter 16.
Indicator 1D
The instructional materials reviewed for Course 2 do not meet the expectations for the amount of content designated for one grade level being viable for one school year in order to foster coherence between grades. Without including any assessment days, there are approximately 91 days of lessons in the materials. There needs to be additional material, other than assessment days, to ensure a students' grasp of all major work at this grade level. Overall, the amount of content that is designated for this grade level is short of the amount of material needed to make it truly viable for one school year.
- According to the pacing guide, each period is 50 minutes in length and there is a suggested 91 days of lessons.
- When pre-tests, mid-chapter tests and post-test assessments are also included in the pacing, this would add an additional 51 days. If all assessments are given during the course of the year, one extra day per assessment, the total would be 142 days.
The guiding focus taken for this indicator for our team was, "Will the non-major and major work of this material be enough to prepare a student for the next grade level?" With the amount of days, many of those days not focusing on major work, and the non-major work days not often supporting the major work of the grade, it will require the teacher to make significant modifications to prepare the student for the next grade level and supports this indicator receiving a 'does not meet' rating.
Indicator 1E
The instructional materials reviewed for Course 2 partially meet the expectations for the material to be consistent with the progressions in the standards. Content from prior grade standards is clearly identified, however above grade level standards are not clearly marked as such. There is ample practice for students to engage deeply with with the problems related to the Grade 7 standards; however there are no connections explicitly made to prior or future content in the Teacher Implementation Guide or the student text.
Some examples of areas where identification of standards from lower grades is beneficial and supports a partially meets rating:
- Lower grade level material is clearly identified in the grade level outline found in the Teacher Implementation Guide on page FM-28. They are also identified and explained in the same resource at the beginning of each lesson.
- Chapter 6, pages 293-338, titled "Numerical and Algebraic Expressions and Equations" starts with standard 6.EE.6 (page 295A) before moving into Grade 7 standards.
The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 7 partially meet the expectation of giving all students extensive work with grade-level problems. Overall, the materials do not consistently give students of varying abilities extensive work with grade-level problems.
Some examples of giving all students extensive work with grade-level problems, but not of varying abilities, and supports a partially meets rating:
- There is ample practice for each standard. Every lesson has guided practice with a script for the teacher to follow. This portion has the students conceptually developing the skill being taught and are given practice problems as well. Along with the guided practice are assignments. The number of assignments and number of problems varies per lesson. In addition there are skill practice pages to accompany each lesson as well. The number of skill pages also varies with each lesson.
- The Teacher Implementation Guide does not list any lessons or ideas for differentiated instruction except when it talks about the Mathia Software product. No differentiated or extension lessons in the Student Text, Students Skills Practice book, or the Student Assignment book were found by the reviewers.
The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 7 do not meet the expectation of relating grade-level concepts explicitly to prior knowledge from earlier grades. Overall, no support materials were found that relate grade-level concepts explicitly to prior knowledge from earlier grades.
- The Teacher Implementation Guide is a wrap around of the student text. In the margins of the Teacher Implementation Guide, the authors have reworded the question asked in the student text but do not seem to add anything to the instruction. The margins also have steps for the teachers to follow, ways to groups students (i.e., have students complete questions 2 and 3 with a partner. Then share the responses with a class, page 5) and guiding questions to ask students. However, it does not clearly make connections between previous knowledge and new concepts. There are not any indicators that knowledge is being extended.
Indicator 1F
The instructional materials reviewed for Course 2 partially meet the expectations for fostering coherence through connections at a single grade, where appropriate and required by the standards. Overall, materials include learning objectives that are visibly shaped by CCSSM cluster headings.
- The Chapter titles are clearly labeled and aligned to the standards without a need for much interpretation.
- Chapter 1 - Ratios and Proportions (7.RP.A)
- Chapter 2 - Proportional Reasoning (7.RP.A)
- Chapter 7 - Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities (7.EE)
- Chapter 8 - The Power of Algebraic Reasoning (7.EE)
The instructional materials do include some problems and activities that serve to connect two or more clusters in a domain. They include a few problems and activities that connect two or more domains in a grade, in cases where these connections are natural and important. However, overall the materials only partially foster coherence through connections in Course 2.
- For the majority of the work, most standards were taught and covered within one unit out of the entire series and not aligned with any other concept throughout the year.
- There are no connections identified by publisher. However, there are connections within the Grade 7 standards they are just not noted or stated by the publisher.
An example of where connections were made and supports a partially meets rating is:
- Chapter 6, "Numerical and Algebraic Expressions and Equations" lesson 2 connects 7.NS and 7.EE.A by having students use the Distributive Property of Multiplication and Division over Addition and Subtraction to simplify algebraic expressions. They use the property to also develop an understanding of combining coefficients of like terms and calculating the product of two numbers.