TEAM-Math Project Update June 12, 2008

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 Alexander City Auburn City Barbour County Bullock County Chambers County Elmore County Lanett City Tuskegee University Lee County Macon County Opelika City Phenix City Russell County Tallapoosa County Tallassee City

Funding $100,000 start-up funding from Auburn University $8.9 million from the National Science Foundation $400,000 supplement to add three districts $305,000 from the Malone Family Foundation for technology in grades 6-12

Why TEAM-Math? 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for Alabama: –Grade 4 21% of Alabama students rated “proficient” (vs. 35% nationally) Alabama ranked 50 th of the 50 states –Grade 8 15% of Alabama students “proficient” (vs. 29% nationally) Alabama ranked 49 th of the 50 states

Achievement Gaps – Grade 4 Alabama Reading and Math Test (ARMT) % ProficientGap All students (East Alabama) 67% White Black 80% 52% 28% Paid lunch Free/reduced 79% 57% 22% General ed Special ed 71% 23% 48%

What Can 4th-Graders Do? The band members have a goal to sell 625 candy bars. If they have sold 264 so far, how many more candy bars do they have to sell to reach their goal? 89%35% Source: NAEP 2003

Long-term NAEP

Conclusions U.S. students are not deficient in the “basic skills”. They are, however, deficient in their ability to apply the mathematical knowledge they have. Thus, we need to shift our attention to increasing students’ problem solving ability.

How to Make Progress… Focusing on raising test scores by “teaching to the test” results in only short- term gains (1-2 years) GOOD TEACHING Leads to Good Outcomes

What is Our Vision?

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

Let’s do some mathematics. Are there more even or odd products in this multiplication table? Explain why

Compute 7 x 28 in your head Be prepared to explain your thinking.

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 Provides a balanced approach to learning problem solving and learning basic skills –The two should go hand in hand Includes a broad view of mathematics beyond just arithmetic, including statistics and data analysis

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

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

The Power of Partnership Universities and K-12 education 14 school districts Auburn University and Tuskegee University Mathematicians and teacher educators We can accomplish far more working together!

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

Curriculum Alignment Curriculum Guide: –Developed objectives for what should be taught at each grade/course to ensure consistency and growth –Now in its fifth edition! Common textbook adoption Quarterly tests

Leadership Development District- and School-level Teacher Leaders –Responsible for coordinating activities at their level –Serve as a liaison to the project Quarterly professional development for the Teacher Leaders

Professional Development Schools participate in cohorts –Cohort I (Summer 2004) --25 schools –Cohort II (Summer 2005) schools –Cohort III (Summer 2006) schools –Cohort IV (Summer 2007) schools –Cohort V (Summer 2008) -- 5 schools Additional workshops and courses throughout the year.

Teacher Preparation Improve programs at the Universities Initial focus on elementary content courses Beginning to look at the content courses for secondary mathematics teachers

Outreach Administrators Guidance counselors Parents and community

Multicultural Literature To date we have trained over 200 teachers to use the Multicultural Literature as a Context for Mathematical Problem Solving: Children and Parents Learning Together Modules. Over 32 schools in East Alabama have participated. The number of families participating has varied from 3 to 44 per school.

How Can You Help Make the Goals of TEAM-Math a Reality for Your Child?

Set high standards for your child in math.

Point out that many jobs require math. Teacher Statistician Engineer Accountant Architect Auditor Stock Broker Computer Programmer Economist Income Tax Specialist Insurance Agent Buyer Mathematician

Help your child see that math is very much a part of everyday life.

Stimulate your child’s interest in technology.

Play games that help your child develop decision making and mental math skills.

Be positive about math and encourage your child to do his/her best.

Participate in school events like Family Math Nights so that you will be aware of things that you can do at home to reinforce what your child is learning in school.

Conclusion The “T” in TEAM-Math is for transforming “TEAM” is for collaboration Parents are an important component of this TEAM!