TEAM-Math Project Overview

TEAM-Math Mission Statement To enable all students to understand, utilize, communicate, and appreciate mathematics as a tool in everyday situations in order to become life-long learners and productive citizens by Transforming East Alabama Mathematics (TEAM-Math).

TEAM-Math Partners Auburn University Tuskegee University Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Macon County Opelika City Phenix City Russell County Tallapoosa County Tallassee City Alexander City Auburn City Chambers County Elmore County Lanett City Schools Lee County SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Why TEAM-Math? Low test scores in East Alabama Large achievement gaps between: –Various ethnic groups –Students of different income levels –General education students and special education students

Comparison of East Alabama to State Averages (2003) Grade 4 (SAT-10) –State Average:53 –East Alabama:50 Grade 8 (SAT-10) –State Average:49 –East Alabama:44 Grade 11 (Pass rate on AHSGE) –State Average:79 –East Alabama:72

Comparison of Subgroups in East Alabama ( 2003 SAT-10) Grade 4 –White students: 57 –Black students: 39 –Fully-paid lunch: 63 –Free/reduced lunch:40 –General education: 55 –Special education: 17 Grade 8 –White students:54 –Black students: 30 –Fully-paid lunch: 57 –Free/reduced lunch:32 –General education:47 –Special education: 15

Project Goals To improve student achievement in mathematics and close achievement gaps. Systemic Improvement of Mathematics Education –Alignment of policies and practices across the system –Different audiences: Teachers, administrators, the public “It’s not just what you teach, it’s how you teach!”

Funding Initial funding from Auburn University –$100,000 from Outreach, College of Sciences and Mathematics, and College of Education Continuing funding from the National Science Foundation Math-Science Partnership (MSP) program –$9 million over the next five years

Major Activities Curriculum alignment Leadership development Professional development Redesign of teacher preparation program

Curriculum Developed course-by-course objectives for what should be taught Recommended textbooks matching objectives and project goals –All 12 districts have adopted these recommendations!

Leadership Development TEAM-Math Teacher Leaders –District Teacher Leaders coordinate implementation across a district –School Teacher Leaders coordinate implementation within a school Activities –Quarterly meetings of teacher leaders

Professional Development Each year, approximately 25 schools enter the program as a cohort to engage in intensive professional development. –All mathematics teachers at that school are expected to participate. –Teachers from non-cohort schools are also invited to selected TEAM-Math activities.

Professional Development Activities Summer Institute I (two weeks) –About 350 teachers attended June 2004 Quarterly follow-up meetings throughout the year School-based activities Summer Institute II (one week) A menu of other mini-courses and activities

Redesign of Teacher Preparation Working to improve the preparation of new teachers. –Redesign content courses for elementary education majors –Align methods courses at all levels Includes mathematicians and teacher educators.

Other Activities Recruitment of new teachers Mentoring for new teachers Briefings and training for administrators and guidance counselors Parental involvement component Outreach to the public, including businesses

How Do We Know This Will Work? TEAM-Math is based on the best available research on mathematics teaching and learning. Out of nearly 200 projects applying for funding from the MSP program of the National Science Foundation, TEAM-Math is one of only 7 that received funding. Projects with similar designs have shown significant improvements in student achievement. –While the improvement is not necessarily immediate, it is cumulative and long-lasting.

Baltimore City Public School System CTBS Mathematics Composite Scores Median National Percentiles

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: Principles and Standards for School Mathematics Alabama Course of Study: Mathematics Best practices from the research A New Vision for School Mathematics

Characteristics of the Vision Designed to meet the needs of all students Engages students in making sense of mathematics— “inquiry based” Focuses on the usefulness of mathematics Includes a broad view of mathematics –Attention to statistics and data analysis across the curriculum

A Shift in Teaching Show and Tell Asking Questions Questioning Answers and

What Does This Mean For You and Your Student? Math class might look a little different this year! –Working in groups –More challenging problems –Use of graphing calculators Hopefully, they will enjoy mathematics more… And learn more mathematics as well!