State drops plans for test for integrated math

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says it is dropping plans to create statewide math exams for "integrated math" curriculums.

Integrated math offers a sequence of courses that teaches some algebra, geometry and higher math in the first year, followed by more complex concepts the next three school years.

While some schools have adopted the new curriculum, other district continue the more traditional approach of teaching math in a sequence of algebra I, geometry, algebra II, and then higher level courses.

The state's decision not to create a test for Integrated Math II and III is expected to convince many districts to drop the integrated math system.

A memo from DESE administrator Michael Muenks says the state was unable to find enough educators for a panel to oversee Integrated Math exams. And he says not many students would be taking an integrated math assessment next spring.