Transition Math Project Whatcom County Math Project

Main Issue: Many College Students are Not Meeting the Entrance Standard in Mathematics 47% of Community and Technical College students who graduated from high school in 2004 took pre- college Math courses 19% of these students are taking pre-college Writing 11% of these students are taking pre-college Reading 54% of Community and Technical College students who graduated from high school in 2004 and intended to transfer took pre-college math courses

The Transition Mathematics Project The Transition Mathematics Project (TMP) is a collaborative venture involving educators from K-12 schools Community and Technical Colleges Baccalaureate Institutions THE TRANSITION MATH PROJECT-WHAT IS IT?

PROJECT PURPOSE Help students progress from high school math to college-level math. Details about the project on the website TMP identified the math skills and knowledge high school graduates need to complete college-level work: the College Readiness Standards.

What are the Standards? The College Readiness Standards (CRS) are competency-based statements about what a student needs to know and be able to do in order to successfully transition to entry- level college coursework in math.

WHATCOM COUNTY MATH PROJECT Partner Organizations Whatcom Tech Prep Consortium District Involvement: Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Lynden Christian, Mt. Baker, Meridian, Nooksack Valley School Districts. Bellingham Technical College Whatcom Community College

Program Goal and Outcomes Overall Goal: Develop a regional learning community that focuses on the implementation of powerful teaching and the impact on student learning. Outcomes: All students will take a math course sequence that includes Algebra II All students graduating from high school will be ready to take college level mathematics.

WCMP Main Goals Education of Students and Parents 2. Report on the State of Math in Whatcom County (Fall 2007) 3. Professional Development

Goal 1: Education of Students and Parents Outreach Efforts CRS and Student Attributes Posters (Fall 2007) Parent/Student Night in conjunction with class registration (Spring 2008) Skills Set Guide to go out in mailers (Summer 2008)

Goal 2: Report on State of Math in Whatcom County PURPOSE OF REPORT Provide a comprehensive snapshot of what is happening in mathematics education in Whatcom County. Intended to reveal the curriculum, course availability, enrollment, and graduation requirements that exist.

Survey Topics Course Options Curriculum Delivery (reform vs. traditional) Textbooks Enrollment by grade and class Course Description (content standards) Graduation Requirement Percent Remedial Post Secondary Total Enrollment by grade 8th Grade Algebra enrollment Math Staffing (FTE and Highly Qualified)

Observations about the Data The following charts and observations highlight a number of interesting results from the data collected. Observations are statements of trends and can be used as overall indicators of mathematics education countywide.

Observation One

Final Thoughts The survey continues to be improved as questions arise concerning additional information to include. Future editions will provide longitudinal comparison data as we look toward decreasing post secondary remediation rates. WCMP will continue to document changes and chart progress toward a goal of 100% completion of Algebra 2 for all high school students.

Goal 3: Professional Development College Readiness Mathematics Standards Lesson Writing Workshops. (Fall Spring 2008) Reducing the Barriers to Mathematics College Readiness Workshop (Saturday, October 27, 2007) Professionally video CRMS Lesson Plans being taught in the classroom.

MOVING FORWARD What we want To maintain and improve communication, especially between secondary and post-secondary schools. To implement the common College Readiness Mathematics Standards What we don’t want To mandate or demand change To advocate a predetermined curriculum