Getting Serious About Closing the Math Achievement Gap

Presented to Title 1 Coordinators

1/25/06

Presented by: Dr. Felicia ClarkSecondary Math Coordinator

Influences Impeding the Progress of Mathematics Education

Tradition or feeling of satisfaction with the status quo

Thinking in terms of the subject instead the students

Regarding the subject as something permanent

Letting the curriculum become a sacred thing

Establishment of "minimum standards," Students' dislike for mathematics, Too many failures especially in Algebra

(20-40%), Too many standardized tests, Misuse of norms, Too much emphasis on quickness, and Poorly prepared teachers

NCTM’s Fourth Yearbook- 1930

Shared by Bill Hadley

Ron Edmonds – Effective Schools “We can, whenever we

choose, successfully teach all children whose schooling is of interest to us. We already know more than we need to do that. Whether or not we do it must finally depend on how we feel about the fact that we haven’t so far” (1979, p.23).

What Works Clearing House Study (see p.12) The math programs that were

proven to be effective and that are a demographic match to our student population are…

I CAN LearnConnected MathCognitive Tutor

I CAN LEARN

100% Computer Lab (30-35 stations)

Lab can be configured for 6th grade 7th grade Algebra 1.0 CaHSEE preparation

Contact: John Alvendia (888) 263-1390 jalvendia@icanlearn.com

Connected Math 2 (Prentice Hall)Contact: James King (800) 435-3499 x1194

Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) is an investigative approach to learning 6–8 math. that utilizes interactive problems and everyday situations to learn math.

(Middle Schools were provided with Connected Math 1 TE’s)

Cognitive Tutor40% Computer; 60% Direct Instruction using CT TextNational Contact: Bill Hadley (888) 851-7094 x 109Local Contact: Carla Howells (310) 937-0205

Bridge to Algebra 7th Grade standards

Laptops and 150 licenses purchased for each middle school

Algebra 1 Algebra 1 AB standards

Laptops and 150 licenses purchased for each High School

Also Available… Geometry Algebra 2

***I Highly Recommend that you purchase support from

Lesson Lab to do Study Groups

New Graduation Requirements A to G Requirements: Every

student will need to successfully complete three years of High School Mathematics beginning with Algebra 1 (impacts our current 6th graders)

Nationally less than 50% of all students meet this requirement

75% of students who drop out cite mathematics as the reason

The Look of Accessible Instruction

Past Practice

1) Identify Need: “The teachers say all of the

students need ….” Not data supported Not researched based

identification of needs that close the achievement gap

2) Strategy: Give all of the students with low

grades (or that teachers refer) remediation, repeat the class, etc.

Curriculum is what people make-up.

3) Budget Parceled out “More (cheaper) is

better” or fund only personnel – not curriculum or curriculum support

1) Identify needs (by student) based on what the data tells you

1) (Computerized instruction can meet individual needs)

2) Strategy: Implement a

research based program that is effective and put PD resources towards that initiative

3) Budget1) Fully Fund (and

commit) to the initiative selected and deny funding for “off target” initiatives.

Recommended Change

Summary

Small purchases that augment lessons is not aggressive enough to change the 80+ year trend of math being inaccessible.

Purchase effective DESIGNED curriculum and purchase the support (study groups) to help teachers implement something foreign to them. I CAN Learn (888) 263-1390 Cognitive Tutor (888) 851-7094

Connected Math James King (800) 435-3499 x1194

Study Group Support – I highly recommend that teachers meet in small groups every 2 weeks (paid) to study curriculum. Lesson lab has a lesson study protocol. Contact…

Lesson Lab Research Institute

3330 Ocean Park Blvd.Santa Monica, CA 90405T: 310/581-2300

Questions:

Felicia.clark@lausd.net