Palisades School District Math Study Group Report Spring 2008

Purpose The purpose of this study team is to update the board regarding the current state of the K-12 mathematics program and make recommendations which will ensure that all students have mastered the mathematical skills and concepts necessary to be successful in their post-secondary endeavors. The final report will include subcommittee findings and conclusions, recommendations and matrices to measure progress.

Math Study Group Membership Teachers/Counselors: Lea Becker, Natalie Conrad, Allison Flannery, Mike Flynn, Joan Frick, Clare Hennigan, Amy Hitcho, Todd Kellman, Nancy Krial, Monica Losinno, Nancy Pontier, Terry Rauch, Jade Scholl, Jeanne Smith, and Sandy Young. Parents: Donna Barkey-Trotta, Dana Guerra, Patty Smeland, Stephen Willey Administrators: Portia Brandt, Andrea Farina, Bridget O’Connell, Jason Potten, Rich Heffernan

Process Meeting Dates and Agendas Prior to our first meeting, all participants received the following: subgroup topics, membership and meeting information, group norms, K-12 mathematics review, and district data October 10, 2007 – discussed K-12 mathematics report, shared common beliefs, reviewed subcommittee assignments October 17, 2007 – College and workplace panel discussion: Lisa Angelo (Assistant Academic Dean, BCCC), Dr. Robert Root (Mathematics Associate Department Head, Lafayette College), David Warren (Administrative Director, Upper Bucks Vocational Technical School) and Dave Slifer (Vice- President, Wehrung’s Lumber and Home Center)

Process Meeting Dates and Agendas October 17 th through November 13 th - subcommittees met to answer the following questions: 1.What does the research, our data and our practices reveal? 2.What conclusions can you draw from your findings? 3.What tentative recommendations can you make for moving forward?

Process Meeting Dates and Agendas Subcommittee Presentations: 1.November 14 th – College and workplace readiness (Heffernan, Willey, Kellman, Conrad, Smith) 2.November 28 th – Interventions (Brandt, Scholl, Krial, Smeland, Pontier, Flannery) 3.December 5 th – Assessment (Potten, Frick, Rauch, Hitcho, Becker, Guerra) 4.December 12 th – Program (Farina, Flynn, Losinno, Young, Hennigan, Barkey-Trotta)

Process Meeting Dates and Agendas Early January -Study team members completed an on-line survey to determine level of consensus for each recommendation and top recommendations January 16 th – study team reconvened to review survey results Late January – study team members completed an on-line survey to gather information regarding steps for action planning Early February – information from surveys and discussion was collated into Power Point presentation and action plans with budget and evaluation components developed. Mid-February – Power Point and action plans were distributed to math study team for comment February 15 th – Power Point, action plans and math study group feedback presentation to all elementary teachers and K-12 math department for review and revision March 5 th – Final Power Point and action plans shared with Math Study Team March 12 th - Power Point and action plans presentation to EPS April 2 nd – Power Point and action plans presentation to School Board

Definition of Terms Palisades curriculum – based on Pennsylvania standards and describes what we want students to know and be able to do. Includes our published program, supplementation, assessments and is based on best practices. Published program- refers to the resources that are purchased and typically include student and teacher texts and may include assessments, technology integration, student workbooks, manipulatives and differentiation materials Supplementation- teacher created resources developed to meet the needs of students. Supplementation may occur to address standards not addressed in the published program, provide enrichment or remediation, or extend learning. Best practices – Instructional strategies used to maximize student achievement and supported by educational research.

Recommendations Goal #1: Increase math SAT scores: All 10 th grade students will take the October administration of the PSAT during school hours at district expense Offer SAT math preparation as a high school elective course in 9 th and 10 th grade at student cost, not weighted, Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading Incorporate math SAT “question of the day” (as found on the College Board website) into math courses (Algebra 1 – Pre-Calculus/Advanced Algebra Trig Imbed SAT skills into K-12 curriculum map Offer SAT prep parent workshops prior to back to school nights at high school and middle school

Recommendations Goal #2: Articulate K-12 curriculum and assessments: Implement consistent K-12 course sequence map Develop K-12 curriculum map consistent with state standards, assessment anchors, SAT math concepts, NCTM focal points Develop course placement rubrics for transitions from elementary to middle and from middle to high school Require a minimum of 60 minutes of math for all students grades1-12 Hire two math specialists, one elementary and one secondary, to monitor curriculum and support teachers

Recommendations Goal #3: Imbed support and enrichment for mathematics Implement a Response to Intervention (RTI) Model. Support and enrichment should utilize different strategies and approaches to meet the individual needs of the child. Evaluate the number of teachers and teaching assistants available for student enrichment and support. Articulate interventions at the secondary level.

Recommendations Goal #4: Increase parent communication and support in the area of math education Emphasize necessity of strong math skills and concepts through curriculum guides Host math nights and/or parent workshops including an SAT math preparation workshop at PALMS and PHS for parents and students Post curriculum documents (curriculum maps, pacing guides, course expectations, etc) on Palisades School District website Include curriculum documents (curriculum maps, pacing guides, course expectations, etc) for distribution at Back to School Night Create a math parent handbook

Recommendations Goal #5: Create a systematic professional development plan for teachers and paraprofessionals based on program delivery, best practices and student intervention Time and training to develop common course/grade level assessments Develop a K-12 curriculum map consistent with state standards, assessment anchors, SAT math concepts, NCTM focal points Develop course placement rubrics for transitions from elementary to middle and from middle to high school Incorporate math SAT “questions of the day” (as found on the College Board website) into math courses (Algebra 1 – Pre-calculus/Advanced Algebra Trig Proctor training for PSAT Implement a Response to Intervention (RTI) Model. Support and enrichment should utilize different strategies and approaches to meet the individual needs of the child Articulate interventions at the secondary level

Action Planning Supplemental documentation contains: 5 year action plans for each recommendation: –Yearly and overall budget –End of cycle evaluation measures Five year overall budget

Thank you again to the math study team! Teachers/Counselors: Lea Becker, Natalie Conrad, Allison Flannery, Mike Flynn, Joan Frick, Clare Hennigan, Amy Hitcho, Todd Kellman, Nancy Krial, Monica Losinno, Nancy Pontier, Terry Rauch, Jade Scholl, Jeanne Smith, and Sandy Young. Parents: Donna Barkey-Trotta, Dana Guerra, Patty Smeland, Stephen Willey Administrators: Portia Brandt, Andrea Farina, Bridget O’Connell, Jason Potten, Rich Heffernan