Achieving the Dream Together: Professional Development through Vertical Team as a Vehicle to Students Success

1. Achieving the Dream Together: Professional Development through Vertical Team as a Vehicle to Students� Success Vertical Teaming Math Initiative

2. Brief Overview of Lowell Pre-kindergarten through PhD is within walking distance. Two institutions of high learning: University of Massachusetts at Lowell and Middlesex Community College One high school: 4000 students Nine middle schools Fifteen Middle schools Ethnic Breakdown 40% Asian 10% Black 10% Hispanic 40% White

3. Mission To create a smoother transition for incoming 9th graders at Lowell High School and increase the number of students entering higher level math classes and attending post secondary school. Ground Work Focus groups with administrators and teachers to determine the strengths and weaknesses of math in the GEAR UP target schools Discussions Preparedness Need to build a framework for the programs.

4. RATIONALE To Strengthen Math instruction in the middle and high school to ensure greater numbers of students entering college. Bolster Curriculum-align connected math across grade levels Improve the delivery of instruction: The vertical teaming initiative brings teachers together six times a year 2003-Present.

5. Outcomes Greater understanding of curriculum at each level Better identification of learning gaps and development of strategies to address the gaps at each grade level Improved understanding of expectations and necessary skills at each grade level Better Communication about student issues grade 8-16 Improved instruction through DI, group work, etc. Broader understanding of subject matter Better understanding of the challenges that ELL students face and development of strategies to support ELL students

6. Outcomes Students in the Math Support Class Showed Significant Gains The math support instructor at Lowell High School collected data and compiled a match sample. Her students� progress was enhanced by her participation in the GEAR UP Vertical Team. The Vertical Teaming initiative provided an opportunity to collaborate on a regular basis with the LHS 9th grade �super cluster� math teachers.

7. Outcomes LHS upper level math curriculum aligned with UML curriculum LHS upper level math curriculum re-designed as a result of collaboration within the Vertical Team. Tutorials were put in place to support transition to UML and MCC College visitations increased. Summer programs implemented to support transition.

8. Outcome Source of Data: Half of the students were randomly selected from the GU Support Math Course. Their Standard Lowell High School Freshmen math pretest scores were obtained. Each individual student in this group was then �matched� with a peer, with the same core Algebra course and teacher, with the matched peer having exactly the same standard high school pretest score. These two samples were tracked and compared.

9. Data (FY 04-05)

10. STEP UP TO HIGH SCHOOL MATH Elective Program for Rising 9th Graders Three Instructional Sessions Encourage Parents to Attend All Instructional Sessions with their child Curriculum - Series of Math refresher exercises and activities 1 Full Credit Given to all Rising Freshmen who complete and submit work on Freshmen Orientation Day.

11. STEP UP TO HIGH SCHOOL MATH Qualitative Data: The grades of students who successfully participated in Step Up To High School Math will be compared to the grades of students who did not participate to evaluate the effectiveness of this program.

12. Lessons Learned LHS, MCC, and UML curricula is closely matched. MCC and UML are sharing same text and meet regularly to ensure alignment. Shared professional development in the summer

13. Lessons Learned FAST TRACK A Pilot Program called Fast Track was developed to address the basic math deficiencies Group of seniors attended workshops at MCC to prepare them for the placement test. Many LHS students are testing into developmental Math Courses at MCC because the basics are being forgotten.

14. Lessons Learned High Steppin� A Pilot Program called High Steppin� was developed at UMASS: Lowell to help Lowell High Seniors transition more smoothly. Field Trips to UML to meet with students and professors in Math and Engineering Disciplines Students Participated in a real classroom experience

15. Expanding the Vertical Team Two new vertical teams have been created and modeled after the math vertical team: English Chemistry

16. Expanding the Vertical Teaming To provide a vehicle for articulation and collaboration between LHS, MCC, and UML. to become familiar with high school and post secondary school math programs and to strengthen math skills to better ensure success on the post secondary level share materials and teaching strategies [align curricula] Understand expectations for students through the high school to the post secondary level. Ensure constant delivery of instruction

17. Taking It To A New Level STEP UP TO HIGH SCHOOL MATH Visit 8th Graders at Lowell Middle Schools Transition Rising 9th Graders Several 9th Grade LHS Cluster Math Teachers spend time with prospective incoming freshmen to help ease students� anxiety Teachers explain expectations to students

18. Next Steps Increase the number of students that are impacted by the programs. Increase the number of students in Advanced Placement classes with an emphasis on students of color. Continue to reach out to second language learners. Ensure gender equity in the Advanced Placement classes.