Huntsville City Schools Laying the Foundation In Huntsville City Schools June 6, 2013

What is Laying the Foundation? National Math and Science Initiative's program for: Math Science English teachers Laying the Foundation has now been purchased by the National Math and Science Initiative. They are working to correlate all lessons and assessments with the common core. A strong program is becoming even stronger!

Laying the Foundation provides… Hands-on teacher training Rigorous, online classroom-ready lessons Common Core resources Vertical alignment across grade levels Ongoing support from a national network of expert teachers Expert teachers include the lead teachers in our district, the content directors at A+ College Ready , and the additional LTF and NMSI support staff in Texas.

LTF Training Twelve modules Three years of LTF training were provided by A+ College Ready with funding from The Schools Foundation HCS provided two days during the 2012-2013 school year for new teachers

Days of LTF Training Provided Total Training Days – 1228 A+ College Ready funded the training for the first three years. This ended their financial commitment to the program. However, due to the high number of new teachers in the district, HCS decided to provide the training again locally.

Number of Teachers Participating in LTF Training The first three years A+ College Ready would only pay to provide the training for Pre-AP and Honors teachers. This year our district encouraged all math, science, and English teachers to participate.

Laying the Foundation (LTF) Lead Teachers In the fall of 2012, Huntsville City Schools became the first district nationwide to provide LTF lead teachers to support increasing rigor in all secondary math, science, and English classes. Beginning in the fall of 2009, lead teachers for Advanced Placement math, science, and English were hired as part of the A+ College Ready grant.

Laying the Foundation Lead Teachers MATH Julie Summers SCIENCE Richard Kitchings ENGLISH Paula Wilkinson

Classroom Visits by LTF Lead Teachers in 2012-2013 MATH 417 visits to 54 teachers SCIENCE 432 visits to 92 teachers ENGLISH 418 visits to 96 teachers Sixth grade teachers in some schools teach all subjects and are visited by all three lead teachers.

Modeling and Mentoring Each lead teacher modeled lessons in multiple classrooms upon request. Lead teachers provided mentoring to assist in the development of rigorous activities designed to increase expectations in the classroom

Vertical Team Meetings Four vertical team meetings were held this year Seven sessions were held simultaneously to support vertical teaming across all clusters in math, science, and English Total attendance for the vertical team meetings was 579.

Additional LTF Lead Teacher Contributions Supported Saturday Prep Sessions for AP students Provided Digital 1:1 and Pearson support Aligned LTF lessons with course objectives Provided materials for LTF lessons when requested LTF resources are available online, organized by topic.

HCS LTF Requirements All Pre-AP and Honors math, science, and English teachers were expected to use a minimum of ten LTF lessons during the year. ALL math, science, and English teachers were encouraged to use LTF lessons this year.

LTF Portfolio To reflect on the effective use of LTF lessons, teachers were encouraged to submit a portfolio documenting at least ten LTF lessons used. Reflection Student samples Lesson plan Reflection included what went well and what did not go well with the lesson. Student samples could be photographs. Teachers will receive a stipend, up to $350, for successful implementation of LTF lessons.

LTF Portfolios Fifty-eight teachers turned in portfolios this year and provided feedback on 528 LTF lessons.

Average Quality Core Algebra I Score Students who take Algebra I in 8th grade are exposed to more advanced material than those in regular 8th grade math. Quality Core results show that exposure to these advanced methods and materials has a positive effect on their learning. The more we can implement LTF, the better. District average was 146.

How Does This Program Help Prepare Students? “LTF materials provide students with the deep content knowledge and essential critical thinking skills necessary to meet the Common Core Standards and to be prepared for college success.”