California standards

[Judi Hirsch <judih@OUSD.K12.CA.US>]

Hello All,
        I thought you might like to read some of the "dispositions of
well-prepared students towards mathematics" which was published in Oct.,
1997 by a joint committee of the Univ of CA, Cal State Univ and the
Community Colleges:
        1. a view that math makes sense
        2. an ease in using math knowledge in solving unfamiliar problems,
such as the ability to find patterns and make conjectures
        3. willingness to work on mathematical problems requiring time and
theought--the result of much genuine success at similar tasks
        4. ability to communicate their thinking in speaking and writing
        5. acceptance os responsibility for their own learning
        6.the understanding that assertions require justification based upon
persuasive arguments
        7. openness to using appropriate technology
        8. perception that mathematics is a unified field of study.
        The reason I posted this is that these dispositions seem good enough
to me yet aren't the kinds of attributes we usually ascribe to tests; they
usually measure discrete knowledge. So, the question might then be, why
don't test makers test for these qualities, which some fairly impressive
groups seem to feel would help any incoming freshman do well?
        Judi Hirsch
        Oakland, CA

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