The outline for the 2008-2009 Math Planning Team has been released and you can find it at the District website by clicking HERE. You'll find a detailed outline of activities, objectives and action plan, as well as a list of the external advisors who will be participating and lending insight throughout the process.
The objectives for this Math Planning Year are:
1) Select an elementary math textbook or program for use in all elementary schools;
2) Plan professional development and implementation rollout for 2009-2010
The Math Planning Team consists of Dr. Fishbein, Ms. Botsford, Dr. Anspach (our new Director of Curriculum), Mr. Dan Ilaria (6-12 Math Supervisor), all the elementary school principals, and Ms. Nancy Schultz (Mathematics Specialist of Professional Resources in Science and Mathematics (PRISM) at Montclair State University). The Team's action plan includes the following:
-- Review relevant documents (see list in Math Plan)
-- Understand parents' wants/needs for math textbook/program
-- Understand teachers' wants/needs for math textbook/program
-- Understand the views of mathematicians (see full Math Plan for names/bios)
-- Write a District vision statement for elementary mathematics
-- Identify District needs and wants for math textbook/program
-- Recommend math textbook/program for Board approval in May 2009
Throughout the process, the Math Planning Team will give updates and solicit feedback at Board of Ed meetings, Board Curriculum Committee meetings, Curriculum Communication Committee meetings, HSA meetings and faculty meetings.
In terms of parent input, things will be kicked-off with an Elementary Math Evening on Monday, October 27, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., on the 3rd floor of the Ed Center. All interested parents are invited to attend. Please attend if you have an opinion about math education! The structure will be to work in small groups to respond to the following questions:
* What is your passion when it comes to mathematics?
* Reflecting on your own education in mathematics, what would you want that is different or the same for all children today in their mathematics education?
* What do you think all students should know and be able to do in mathematics when they graduate?
* What do you want to see in an elementary mathematics textbook or program?
The goal of the meeting will be to collect and forward input to the Math Planning Team, along with all the focus group and other parent input received last year.
So here we go...it's great to have a plan. The "math issue" has been out of the limelight over the past few months, and I think it has been good to tone down some of the emotions that got riled up last spring. Now we can focus and really work through the issue together.
So check out the plan (click HERE) and I'd love to hear what you think.
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8 comments:
what happened to the big university "partner" idea?
what happened to the big university "partner" idea?
The plan was to find a partner that was described as a university or a "think tank" or consultant. The District contacted several of all three of those. Of the responses received, the best fit was PRISM which stands for Professional Resources in Science and Mathematics (PRISM) at Montclair State University. Ms. Nancy Schultz is the consultant with that group. So, she will be partnering with us in the development of our "vision" for math and then in our search for the textbook/program that best meets that vision and our needs.
Why having Ms. Schultz as a consultant when she clearly advocates a constructivist math curriculum?
Dr. Fishbein and Mrs. Botsford made the recommendation of PRISM and Nancy Schultz following a thorough RFP process where the District solicited proposals from universities, consultants, think tanks and professional development groups. Ms. Schultz is just one professional member of the team, the balance of which is made up of our own local educators. Those educators will have the fullest input and the final responsibility for the team's recommendation. I know I'll ask my questions throughout the process and I assume you will too.
I didn't see any mention of the middle school Connected Math program, but I would think that if reform math is coming under review, CMP would also be reevaluated. Has there been any discussion of this?
There has not been discussion that I know of regarding reevaluating CMP, in the way that elementary math is being reevaluated. But, one of the benefits of having a math supervisor for grades 6-12 is that person (Mr. Dan Ilaria) will be keeping a close eye on how students are coming in to the high school, ensuring that they are leaving middle school with the skills and knowledge they need for HS math. If there are issues, they will need to be dealt with.
Could this be a great opportunity to move the level of our math curriculum foreword, to match what other countries teach? Long devision third grade, perhaps?
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