The State Board of Education will be looking for feedback next month when it receives draft recommendations regarding Washington’s K-12 mathematics standards.

Earlier this year, SBE hired a national educational research firm to conduct an independent review of the state’s math standards. The purpose of the review, according to the board, is to "create mathematics standards that are world class and useful to Washington teachers. Washington’s standards will be benchmarked against standards of top performing international countries and other states, as well as national mathematics frameworks."

The research consultant is working with a SBE-selected panel of Washington K–12 mathematics teachers, educational administrators and curriculum directors, higher education mathematicians, parents, and business and community leaders. Draft recommendations will be issued in mid-July, with the final report due in August.

The draft and final products will include recommendations for specific changes needed to revise the K–12 mathematics standards for the elementary, middle and high school levels. Recommendations will be developed based on the benchmarking exercise, input from the advisory panel, and feedback received through public comment and focus groups.

To that end, SBE has scheduled three focus group meetings in July to provide an opportunity for the education community to comment. The meetings will be held as follows:

• July 18 — Educational Service District 101, Spokane
• July 23 — Educational Service District 123, Pasco
• July 24 — Puget Sound Educational Service District, Renton

All three focus groups will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Please RSVP to SBE's Loy McColm at 360/725-6027.