My students are ENGAGED! This was the goal I had when I set out to use the Exemplars. I see the students applying concepts in a way they have not been able to do before. The students have task centered conversations where they are explaining, listening and justifying the work they are doing. They are building on prior knowledge to solve the work they are being asked to do.

Exemplars math problems and rubrics have been available to Amphitheater teachers since 1998. The materials were distributed through our District Math Team. Each school received information and explanations from their site leader. Classes covering the use of problems and the rubrics were also included in the district professional development program. In addition, the District Math Specialist provided in-service to individual schools.

As a result, many teachers, as well as teams of teachers, adopted the Exemplars materials for use in their Career Ladder professional development plans.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that teachers in classrooms utilizing Exemplars materials on a regular basis saw in their students not only improved mathematical thinking on a day-to-day basis, but an increased ability to understand standardized testing materials as well.