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News and Announcements

Welcome, New CDE Math Specialists!

Three new math specialists have joined CDE's Office of Standards and Instructional Support. Joe Brenkert comes to CDE from Front Range Community College, where he spent 15 years teaching math and math education courses. Jason Cushner is a PAEMST awardee who comes to us from Estes Park, where his career has included teaching, instructional coaching, and service as a school board member. Tabitha Nickerson served as a math specialist in Thompson School District and has experience teaching in rural Colorado schools. Let's give them a warm welcome as they help CDE support HB23-1231 and other mathematics initiatives that impact the state.

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

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.


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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.

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

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


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