Overview
Throughout the 2022-23 school year, we were engaged as a district in Phase 1 (Study and Evaluate) of our Math Review Cycle. We gathered valuable information from our stakeholders through surveys that were administered to students, parents and teachers. We also held meetings with grade level teams, math departments, content teams and with individual stakeholders in order to gather data on current practices, and to set goals for improving teaching and learning in math. In January, we held a math retreat with teachers from all three schools. During the retreat, teams of teachers reviewed the data collected and made recommendations for each school based on that data. All of the work done throughout the 2022-23 school year (largely Phase 1) has laid the foundation for our continued work in 2023-24 (largely Phase 2).
During the 2023-24 school year we engaged in Phase 2 (Plan and Develop) of our Math Review. Teachers at all levels participated in professional development on Common Core math practices, best instructional strategies in math and ways to provide greater differentiation for all students. Through a collaborative effort, we agreed to continue with Everyday Math 4 at Pond Cove, and REVEAL from grade 5 - Algebra 2. We also agreed to implement ALEKS from grade 5- Algebra 2. ALEKS is a research based, on-line learning program that provides students with a personalized learning path based on an adaptive diagnostic test. Part of choosing the math programs involved consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of each program, in order to make adjustments as needed to ensure high quality math instruction. We also held cross grade-level meetings where we began the process of vertical alignment by building curriculum documents together. Our focus through Phase 3 (Implement) will include implementing all programs with integrity, working together to assure vertical alignment, improving differentiation and building our understanding and application of best instructional practices in math.
