What is Everyday Mathematics (a.k.a. "Chicago Math")?

I recently had a number of conversations within the district as part of my communication with parents and the public on the roll out of the new curriculum in September. One question that came up a number of times was whether the new curriculum would include "Chicago Math". I realized there was concern about this and felt that some communication on the matter would be helpful. To be clear, Everyday Mathematics (the official name of "Chicago Math") is not used in the Hoboken School District and there are no plans for using it as a textbook or curriculum in September 2009. But, I thought it would be informative to post some clear, factual, and scientifically proven peer reviewed research about the curriculum for those who have concerns or questions. -Dr. Petrosino

Everyday Mathematics is a comprehensive Pre-K through 6th grade mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project, and published by Wright Group/McGraw-Hill.

It is currently being used in over 185,000 classrooms by almost 3,000,000 students.

The federal government's What Works Clearinghouse gave Everyday Mathematics the highest rating of any commercially published elementary mathematics curriculum. 

What follows is the official description of Everyday Mathematics from the Department of Education's "What Works Clearinghouse"- a government entity intended to independently and objectively evaluate educational curriculum and programs. 

Overview

Everyday Mathematics, published by Wright Group/McGraw-Hill, is a core curriculum for students in kindergarten through grade 6 covering numeration and order, operations, functions and sequences, data and chance, algebra, geometry and spatial sense, measures and measurement, reference frames, and patterns. At each grade level, the Everyday Mathematics curriculum provides students with multiple opportunities to learn concepts and practice skills. Across grade levels, concepts are reviewed and extended in varying instructional contexts. The distinguishing features of Everyday Mathematics are its focus on real-life problem solving, student communication of mathematical thinking, and appropriate use of technology. This curriculum also emphasizes balancing different types of instruction, using various methods for skills practice, and fostering parent involvement in student learning.

Research

Four studies of Everyday Mathematics met the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) evidence standards with reservations. These studies included a total of approximately 12,600 students in grades 3–5 from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds and attending schools in urban, suburban, and rural communities in multiple states.

The WWC considers the extent of evidence for Everyday Mathematics to be medium to large for math achievement.

Effectiveness

Everyday Mathematics was found to have potentially positive effects on students' math achievement.

For the full official report on Everyday Mathematics from the Department of Mathematics in PDF form, please click HERE.

To be clear, there are some dissenting views on the effectiveness of Everyday Mathematics/Chicago Math but these perspectives remain largely out of the realm of the scientifically proven, peer reviewed process which requires empirical data and proof among other criteria. Moreover, these dissenting views are essentially (if not exclusively) anecdotal. (view 1, view 2)

note: Everyday Mathematics (a.k.a. "Chicago Math") is not being utilized within the Hoboken School District and there are no immediate plans in place for it's incorporation into the day to day mathematical instruction of the district.