Mathematics

News and Announcements

No-Cost Professional Development

Colorado Department of Education is offering Powerful Practice: Evidence-Informed Math Teaching, an asynchronous professional development opportunity aimed to enhance mathematics instruction for educators across the state. The course is ideally suited for K-12 educators, interventionists, curriculum specialists, out-of-school time professionals teaching math, school principals and facilitators looking to lead professional learning communities within their educational setting or region. Participants can expect:

Fourteen, 1-hour modules to support educators in teaching students in grades K-12, with attention paid to teaching students who are below grade level or struggling in math, children with disabilities and students who are English language learners
A focus on critical math concepts and evidence-informed practices to improve student outcomes
Opportunities for reflection and planning to promote instructional growth

Complete the Powerful Practice Course Registration Form

Spring 2025 Math Community Conversations

We want to hear from you! Join us for a fun and engaging community conversation to help shape the future of mathematics education in Colorado. The Colorado Department of Education is creating a plan for the future of math education in the state and we want to hear your thoughts about where math education is and where it should go to prepare students for the rapidly changing world we are living in.

Here are the dates of the virtual conversations with links to the Zoom meetings:

Wednesday Jun 18, 2025 4:30 PM for Educators
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025 4:30 PM for Administrators, P-12 Leaders, and Higher Education

If you can’t attend a conversation but would like to fill out a survey, you can at the following links:

Math Survey for Educators (Teachers, Leaders, etc…)
Math Survey for Non-Educators (Students, Family, Community Members…)

Want more news? Keep up with more events and announcements by joining the CoMath listserv.

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Academic Standards

The mathematics standards compel us to make mathematics relevant to students by moving beyond mere answer getting to doing the work of mathematicians. The standards emphasize the development of students’ abilities to use mathematics to represent their lived experiences and to simplify and explain complex phenomena.

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Curriculum Support

Article IX, Section 16 of Colorado's constitution states, "Neither the general assembly nor the state board of education shall have power to prescribe textbooks to be used in the public schools." However, CDE can still serve as an advisor to help districts and schools adopt, adapt, develop or use the materials of their choice.

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Instructional Support

Instructional support is grounded in CDE's shared approach to Best, First Instruction as well as practices and strategies supported by professional organizations and scholars at the leading edge of mathematics education.

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Community

There are many opportunities to connect and grow as a professional educator with the larger mathematics education community, including mailing lists, professional organizations and events.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mathematics in Colorado

Do you have questions about Colorado's mathematics standards? Graduation requirements? Textbook recommendations? They might be answered here.

How many high school math credits are required to graduate?
Where is the list of math programs and interventions that are approved to use in schools?
How are Colorado's math standards like and not like Common Core?

See the answers to these and other questions in the FAQ.

Decorative text of the Colorado Department of Education's HB 23-1231's icon

Improving Mathematics Outcomes in K-12 (House Bill 23-1231)

House Bill 23-1231 was passed in April of 2023, establishing various programs to improve mathematics outcomes and accelerate achievement.

These programs include professional development, advisory lists for instructional materials, guidance for improvement planning, new and expanded grant programs and new rules for educator preparation.

Learn More About HB23-1231

Have questions for the math team? Email mathacceleration@cde.state.co.us.

For further assistance, please contact:

Joe Brenkert
Mathematics Content Specialist
P 720.990.4907
brenkert_j@cde.state.co.us

Jason Cushner
Mathematics Content Specialist
P 720.990.1038
cushner_j@cde.state.co.us

Raymond Johnson, Ph.D.
Mathematics Content Specialist
P 303.866.6582
johnson_r@cde.state.co.us

Tabitha Nickerson
Mathematics Content Specialist
P 720.626.0815
nickerson_t@cde.state.co.us