GECDSB Math Task Force

Why a math task force?  Background: At the May 5 th, 2015 Education Meeting a motion was passed by the Board as follows:  THAT THE BOARD CONVENE A MATH TASK FORCE TO FORMALIZE A PLAN AND PROCESS TO ADDRESS IMPROVEMENT IN MATH PERFORMANCE  Timelines:  The GECDSB Task Force will meet once a month between September 2015 and January 2016 with sub-committee meeting scheduled in between monthly Task Force Meetings  A final report of recommendations will be provided to the Board of Trustees between February 2016 and June 2016 to monitor actions based on recommendations

Who makes up the task force? Superintendent of Education – Program and Curriculum University Professors – Mathematics Focus Parent RepresentativesCommunity Member – Mathematics Focus Secondary PrincipalsElementary Principals Elementary Math TeachersSecondary Math Teachers Secondary Central Office Curriculum StaffElementary Central Office Curriculum Staff Student Work Study StaffESL Central Office Curriculum Staff Special Education Central Office StaffAssessment Central Office Staff Ministry of Education StaffMISA Lead Student Focus Group – Comprised of GECDSB Students and Reciprocal Learning Chinese Students

Ad Hoc Committee Formations – Under the Umbrella of Research

Building Reciprocal Partnerships, Locally and Globally

Committee Members Jessica Sartori - Trustee Clara Howitt – Superintendent of Education Shijing Xu – University Professor Jamie Deleveille – Parent Representative Jan Foy – ESL – Teacher Consultant Tina DeCastro – FNMI – Teacher Consultant Michael Huggard – Elementary Principal Chris Mills – Elementary Principal

Focus Groups: - Parents/Guardians - School Personnel - Students - Varied Groups in the Community (Ethnic, Special Education, FNMI…)

Desired Outcomes Parents/Guardians Building a knowledge and appreciation of the parent experience and perspective Understanding the parent’s perception of what is occurring in schools to support math learning Determine level of awareness of available resources to support student learning in mathematics

Desired Outcomes Various Community Groups Determining perception (i.e.through specific cultural lenses) of math support at school Seeking input in ways to be more transparent in how we support math learning Seeking to improve ongoing communication with various groups Building a knowledge and appreciation of the parent experience and persception Understanding the parent’s perception of what is occurring in schools to support math learning Determine level of awareness of available resources to support student learning in math Determine differences in the educational values concerning math, when compared to their native country

Desired Outcome  School Personnel Determine staff perception of positive home school supports for math learning Collection of current best practices to support home school connections in math Seeking examples of positive communication between home and school

Desired Outcomes Students Determine student value and perspective on math Disposition on math Define positive experiences in math learning and why Define negative experiences in math learning and why Define home supports in math learning

Research Data Intergenerational Effects of Parents’ Math Anxiety on Children’s Math Achievement and Anxiety Relation Parental Involvement and Secondary Student Achievement From Parental Involvement to Children’s Mathematical Performance: The Role of Mathematics Anxiety Monograph: Capacity Building Series K – 12, Parent Engagement

Identified Focus Groups Locations and Actions Student Senate – December 1, 2015 Various Groups – SEAC, LDAO, IPC, Multi-Cultural Council, Reciprocal Learning Teacher Candidates, Reciprocal Learning Sister Schools, International Masters Program Use of Synervoice, Board Website, School Websites Board Administrators Personnel, Parent/Guardians and Student Focus Group Locations Being Considered: John CampbellEastwoodPrince Edward David MaxwellCoronationGlenwood BegleyAmherstburgKingsville Queen Elizabeth Colchester NorthLakeshoreSandwich WestNorthwood Sandwich Secondary Kingsville Secondary Walkerville