Leveraging Math Modeling and Applications to Promote Quantitative Literacy Mark Freed Mathematics Education Specialist Oregon Department of Education OREGON RESPONSE TO INSTRUCTION AND INTERVENTION (ORTIi) 2016 Annual Spring Conference Eugene, OR April 29, 2016

The Math Challenge College Ready? – 60% of entering community college students enroll in developmental math courses 1 – Most students (70% at CC’s) identified as unready for a credit-bearing math course will never graduate M ore math courses? – Enrollment in Pre-Calculus and Calculus has doubled since 1990, – Yet one in six (17%) of students who successfully completed high school Calculus enrolled in remedial math in college 2 1 Silva, E. & White, T. (2013). Pathways to Improvement: Using Psychological Strategies to Help College Students Master Developmental Math. Carnegie Foundation. Stanford, California. 2 Background to the MAA/NCTM Statement on Calculus,

Math for All? Mathematics and statistics courses function as gateways to many majors are crucial for preparing scientifically literate citizens. Yet: – In 2012: 19.9% of all bachelor's degrees were awarded to underrepresented minority (URM) students (9.5% to Blacks, 9.8% to Hispanics). – But only 11.6% of math bachelor's degrees were awarded to URM students (4.9% to Blacks, 6.4% to Hispanics). – Failure rates under traditional lecture are 55% higher than for more active approaches to instruction Lee Stiff and William Harvey (1988) noted that: “mathematics classrooms are one of the most segregated places in the United States” Stiff, L.V., & Harvey, W.B. (1988). On the education of black children in mathematics. Journal of Black Studies, 19(2),

What is Math? MATH≠COMPUTATION MATH>>COMPUTATION Math Computation

Democratization of Math When all aspects of mathematics are encouraged, rather than procedure execution alone, many more students contribute and feel valued…I refer to this broadening and opening of the mathematics taught in classrooms as mathematical democratization. When we open mathematics we also open the doors of math achievement and many more students succeed.” Jo Boaler (2013). The Stereotypes That Distort How Americans Teach and Learn Math. “Mathematics needs to become more accessible if it is to fulfill both its cultural and economic roles. Accessibility requires curricula to move beyond coverage of discrete operations to a deeper and more applied understanding.” Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Quantitative Literacy: Why Numeracy Matters for Schools and Colleges. “Access and equity in mathematics at the school and classroom levels rest on beliefs and practices that empower all students to participate meaningfully in learning mathematics” National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All.

Is there one target for everyone? Calculus is not the capstone MAA/NCTM Joint Position Statement of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) on Teaching Calculus. recommendations/joint-statement-teaching-calculus And neither is College Algebra (at least how it is commonly taught today) Saxe, K. & Braddy, L. (2015). A Common Vision for Undergraduate Mathematical Sciences Programs in A joint position paper by AMATYC, AMS, ASA, MAA, and SIAM.

What is the target? Quantitative Literacy (Numeracy) is key Quantitative literacy (QL), the ability to understand and use numbers and data analyses in everyday life. Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Quantitative Literacy: Why Numeracy Matters for Schools and Colleges. Reading Literacy Learn to ReadRead to Learn Numeracy Learn to “Do Math”“Do Math” to Learn

What is a successful student in math? The Mathematical Practices paint a picture of what student success looks like in a math classroom 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 6. Attend to precision. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 4. Model with mathematics.8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

What is a successful student in math? The Mathematical Practices paint a picture of what student success looks like in a math classroom 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 6. Attend to precision. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 4. Model with mathematics.8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Conjecture: Mathematical Modeling and appropriate use of tools are of particular importance in empowering all students to participate meaningfully in learning mathematics

What could Student Success Look Like? In Hampton High's Disaster Relief Mission, math students role-play air traffic controllers and pilots to assess their skills in a performance-based simulation.

Discussion What practices do you see evidence of with students in the classroom you just saw? 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 6. Attend to precision. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 4. Model with mathematics.8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Why Modeling? 1.What does “Modeling” mean to you? 2.What do you think “Modeling” means to a mathematician?

Why Modeling? Math is: 1.Posing the right questions 2.Real world → math formulation 3.Computation 4.Math formulation → real world, verification Conrad Wolfram: Teaching kids real math with computers

Why Modeling? Math is: 1.Posing the right questions 2.Real world → math formulation 3.Computation 4.Math formulation → real world, verification Modeling Cycle (CCSSM): Math ↔ Modeling!

Why Modeling & Tools? Math (Modeling) is: 1.Posing the right questions 2.Real world → math formulation 3.Computation 4.Math formulation → real world, verification Students Use appropriate tools strategically.

Modeling Activity Central Park

Reflection Math (Modeling) is: 1.Posing the right questions 2.Real world → math formulation 3.Computation 4.Math formulation → real world, verification 1.How does the Central Park Activity give students an opportunity to: Engage in Mathematical Modeling? Use Tools Strategically? Develop Numeracy? Numeracy Learn to “do Math” Learn to Model “Do Math” to Learn Model to Learn

Reflection 1.How do you see Modeling and Appropriate use of Tools helping to empower all students to participate meaningfully in learning mathematics? 2.What else do you see as needed to bring more students into meaningful math? Math (Modeling) is: 1.Posing the right questions 2.Real world → math formulation 3.Computation 4.Math formulation → real world, verification Numeracy Learn to “Do Math” Learn to Model “Do Math” to Learn Model to Learn

Questions? Mark Freed Math Education Specialist Oregon Department of Education