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Middle School Math Placement Update   Dr. Ken Branch Senior Director, Middle School Programs

Middle School Math Placement Update   Dr. Ken Branch Senior Director, Middle School Programs. 1. 1. Review. Evolution of middle school math placement guidelines. Explanation of the Algebra Readiness Initiative .

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Middle School Math Placement Update   Dr. Ken Branch Senior Director, Middle School Programs

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  1. Middle School Math Placement Update   Dr. Ken Branch Senior Director, Middle School Programs 1 1

  2. Review • Evolution of middle school math placement guidelines. • Explanation of the Algebra Readiness Initiative . • Reported on the status of math placement and enrollment in our year-round school.

  3. WCPSS Middle School Math Placement Guidelines 3

  4. EOG Score - High Level III or IV on 4th grade (SS • EOG Score - High Level III or IV on 5th grade (SS • EOG Score - High Level III or IV on 6th grade (SS • EOG Score - High Level III or IV on 6th grade (SS Any 5th grade student not recommended for 6th Grade Advanced Math should be placed in 6th Grade Math.* • EOG Score - High Level III or IV on 4th grade (SS • EOG Score - High Level III or IV on 5th grade (SS • EOG Score - High Level III or IV on 6th grade (SS • EOG Score - High Level III or IV on 6th grade (SS Any 5th grade student not recommended for 6th Grade Advanced Math should be placed in 6th Grade Math.* Middle School Math Placement Criteria Spring 2010 Middle School Math Placement Criteria Spring 2010 4 4 V. 3 V. 3

  5. First Quarter Report So how are all of our schools doing?

  6. Pre-Algebra Enrollment

  7. Pre-Algebra Enrollment (26%)

  8. Pre-Algebra (EVAAS) (82%)

  9. Algebra

  10. Algebra (35%)

  11. Algebra (EVAAS) 8th Graders 70% + Enrollment 2010-11

  12. Why were some students not placed in advanced math classes? • Students did not have prerequisite coursework. • Students did not demonstrate mastery. • Parent requests.

  13. Why were some students not placed in advanced math classes? • Are there other compelling reasons? • Middle school principals

  14. Information Collected from Middle Schools • What have been the benefits that you have noticed during the first weeks of the school year? • What are some of the challenges you have faced in implementing the placement guidelines? • What are the surprises or “A-ha’s” you have had since implementing the guidelines?

  15. Benefits • Students accepted the challenge. • Students are rising to the challenge. • “Some try harder to be successful.” • Students demonstrate an increased attention to assignments. • Students have more positive attitude towards math. • Students demonstrating strong determination. • Mathematical confidence. • More students are being challenged appropriately. • Greater diversity in the classrooms.

  16. Benefits continued • Students are more motivated. • Parents are excited and supportive. • Greater focus on student support.

  17. Challenges • Timing of the receipt of the data reports. • Moving students after the school year began for year-round and modified. • Having to change schedules and team configurations. • Resources • Additional academic support. • Textbooks and workbooks.

  18. Challenges continued • Large classes (35 for example). • Pace is difficult for some students. • Some teachers are finding parents to be frustrated because of the increased needs of other students in their children’s math classes.

  19. Challenges continued • “There are more C’s and D’s in Algebra whereas these classes used to be getting A’s and B’s.” • Some teachers need additional training in differentiating in the math classroom. • Some regular level math classes are noticeably different and are very small.

  20. Challenges continued • Gaps in mathematical knowledge. • Carving out time in the day to provide additional support. • Lack of academic behavioral skills • Maturity. • Remembering to bring supplies and to do their homework, for example.

  21. A-has! (Surprises) • “One student with disabilities earned a “B” in pre-algebra for first quarter and has shown greater confidence in class.” • “So far, students are doing great, but it is mainly review.  They love to learn new concepts!  They have loved graphing calculators; learned to do matrix on the calculator; and learned scatter plot and line of best fit.”

  22. A-has! (Surprises) continued • “We have found that some parents would prefer to have their children in Math 8+ getting an A or a B, than to have their children in Algebra I getting a C.”

  23. A-has! (Surprises) continued • "I do want to say that I am seeing many initial positive results or experiences… For example, 2 of my students who were promoted at the last minute just told me that this is their first time in an honors class and they are on A/B honor roll at progress report time and how proud their parents are - they are literally beaming.“

  24. A-has! (Surprises) continued • Teaching math this year “…is more time-consuming that I ever imagined due to struggling students.” • “Parents need more information.”

  25. A-has! (Surprises) continued • “I feel every student that I have (in Algebra I) will pass the EOC and be much better prepared for high school.”

  26. A-has! (Surprises) continued • “I feel that many may be surprised by the success the students are having, this doesn't surprise me.  Students will perform at the level you expect them to.” 

  27. A-has! (Surprises) continued • “I can only recall 2 students in the last 10 years who graduated from [my school] with Alg I credit.  To date, we have already enrolled 5 students in Alg I based on EVAAS and offering the additional support.  We are confident these students can leave here with the credit.”

  28. The Rest of the Story • Other benefits, challenges, and “a-ha’s” from our middle school principals.

  29. Central Services Response • Increased articulation K-12. • Algebra Readiness Summit. • August 12, 2010. • >350 attendees. • Additional training opportunities. • Pre-algebra teachers. • Algebra I teachers.

  30. Central Services Response continued • Availability of SAS 8th Grade Math Bridge Lessons. • Providing additional resources. • Textbooks. • Workbooks. • Funding for tutoring.

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