1. Math Madness A Unique Way to Prepare Algebra I/Data Analysis Students for the HSA Office of Secondary Mathematics

2. Rationale for Math Madness There is a need to increase the success rate of first time takers of the HSA. Teachers requested the development of a unique program that does not involve public release items. The Algebra Teams wanted to motivate students to succeed on the HSA.

3. Goals for the Math Madness Project To motivate all algebra students through competition to perform better on the HSA To begin the review process for the HSA earlier in the year To further identify students in need of intervention for the HSA

4. Overview of Math Madness Students are given four questions three times each week All questions are related to the Core Learning Goals and written in a HSA format Scores are calculated with awards for individual and class achievement

5. Math Madness Day #1 Students complete four questions for a warm-up based on one or more of the HSA indicators. The teacher reviews and reteaches the concepts of the warm-up. Students ask questions and receive immediate feedback on their performance on the warm-up.

6. Math Madness Day #2 Students are assigned four very similar problems as a class or homework assignment. The problems are reviewed and the students have an additional opportunity to ask questions.

7. Math Madness Day #3 Students take a four question quiz on the indicators selected for the week. The teacher grades the quizzes. The results are reviewed with the students.

8. Math Madness – The Competition Teachers forward a spreadsheet with student results to the competition organizer by 7:00am Monday; late scores will not be included in the class average. Each week the teachers receive an update on the class standings within the Algebra Team. Incentive awards are given to the top performer within each teacher’s cluster of classes. Several additional awards are given for improvement and effort. The top performing class may receive a pizza party at the end of the competition.

9. Math Madness as a Review Tool Students collect their worksheets and quizzes and place them in a folder. At the end of Math Madness they will have more than 100 examples of HSA questions that are not public release items. The folder can be used in May as a part of the HSA review process.