by Debbie Aberico
Math Instruction in the district is being guided by long range goals recommended by the National Mathematics Advisory Panel:
- By 2010-11, 100% of 8th graders will successfully complete Algebra I. "This is a lofty goal, one which will take time, talent, and resources. Waiting until the middle grades to facilitate mathematics achievement will not get us where we need to be; to provide the best possible conceptual foundation for our students we must provide the very best quality mathematics instruction starting in Kindergarten," said Price.
- By 2009-10, 75% of 3rd graders will achieve proficiency on the Ohio Achievement Test.
- By 2012-13, 100% of 3rd graders will achieve proficiency on the Ohio Achievement Test.
Several new strategies are being implemented to meet these goals:
- Elementary Teacher Professional Development:
- MUPET (Miami University Partnership for Enhancing the Teaching of Mathematics) - lesson study, and improving the depth and rigor of problems offered to students
- CGI (Cognitively Guided Instruction) - nearly 25 years of research on how children think about solving problems, the strategies they use to solve various types of problems, and how to effectively move children forward in their mathematical development; CGI is great information for teachers to help them make better decisions about classroom instruction
- A School Improvement grant has provided the resources to place a math coach in each of four elementary buildings. The math coaches have been involved since January in extensive professional development through the Math Coaching Program at The Ohio State University and the University of Dayton, and will be ready in the fall to support the math teaching staff in each of their buildings
- All math classes for grades six through eight will be ninety minutes in length
- High-quality curricular materials have been purchased for our middle schools
- Essential hands-on learning tools will be available for middle and elementary classrooms
"With all of these new strategies being implemented, the district's focus is to eliminate the achievement gaps while raising the achievement levels of all students," said Price. We will continue to highlight our equity work and strive to earn a rating of 'Excellent' on the school district's state report card.
Advanced Language Arts, Algebra I, and Geometry will be available to eligible middle school students during the 2008-2009 school year. These courses will be offered at both Vail and Verity.
To be eligible for Advanced Language Arts, students must be recommended by a parent or teacher and meet the following criteria:
- Score at the "Advanced" or "Accelerated" level on the reading portion of the Ohio Achievement Test (6th grade scores will be used for incoming 7th grade students and 7th grade scores will be used for incoming 8th grade students)
- Score at the 90th percentile or above on the TerraNova Total Reading Score (6th grade scores will be used for incoming 7th grade students and 7th grade scores will be used for incoming 8th grade students)
To be eligible for Algebra I, students must be recommended by a parent or teacher and meet the following criteria:
- Score at least 85 on the Orleans Hanna Algebra Prognosis Test
- Score at the "Advanced" or "Accelerated" level on the math portion of the Ohio Achievement Test (6th grade scores will be used for incoming 7th grade students and 7th grade scores will be used for incoming 8th grade students)
- Score at the 90th percentile or above on the TerraNova Total Math Score (6th grade scores will be used for incoming 7th grade students and 7th grade scores will be used for incoming 8th grade students)
To be eligible for Geometry, students must have successfully completed algebra one as a seventh grade student.
