JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says it is dropping plans to create statewide math exams using an "integrated math" curriculum.
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.
It replaces a system used in many districts where math is taught 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 said the state was unable to find enough educators for a panel to oversee Integrated Math exams. Also, he said not many students would be taking an integrated math assessment next spring.