• What are the goals of the UMASD Math Program?

    During the 2006 - 2007 school year, the Math Committee identified the UMASD goals:
    • To increase rigor and relevancy K - 12 for all students
    • To prepare all students for success in Algebra I in 8th grade
    • To increase student enrollment in higher level courses in the high school
    • To develop a pre K - 12 model for teaching mathematics

    What steps have been taken to reach the pre K - 12 mathematics goals?

    In the first year of the Mathematics Revision cycle, the Math Committee reviewed data from UMASD as well as surrounding districts.  The Math and Science Partnership of Greater Philadelphia presented Mathematics and Inquiry as 21st Century Skills.  The presentation included:
    • Review of research regarding rigor needed in secondary schools in order for students to be successful in post secondary situations
    • Review of course patterns and enrollment in not only UMASD, but also research from other areas
    • Review of research that indicated that the courses students take and the grades earned in those courses have a direct bearing on not only PSSA scores, but also success in college
    From this research review, the UMASD Math Committee discussed how to increase rigor for all students.  A presentation was given by a consultant from the Math and Science Partnership of Greater Philadelphia with the goal of having the Math Committee discuss the complexity of teaching and learning mathematics and to define and identify cognitive demand.  The session included:
    • Discussion about what students need to be able to engage in cognitive demanding tasks
    • Discussion about what teachers need to know/understand/be able to do in order to facilitate cognitively demanding tasks
    • Discussion about teaching to the big ideas in mathematics, moving toward a spiraling curriculum
    • Discussion of what impact our discussions would have on the rewriting the UMASD mathematics curriculum.

    What preparations were followed in order to ensure a cohesive rigorous Mathematics curriculum in UMASD?
    • During the summer of 2007, the Math Committee began the rewrite of the UMASD math curriculum Pre K - 12.  The UMASD Math Committee developed a knowledge base and a document describing the Ideal UMASD Mathematics Curriculum.  The curriculum writing would include:
      • integration across disciplines
      • integration of 21st Century teaching/learning skills
      • integration of technology 
    UMASD Math Committee members worked in groups to not only work on their grade level or course curriculum writing, they also met with vertical groups to ensure that the curriculum was rigorous and showed cumulative growth from one grade level or course to the next. 

    How was the current Mathematics pilot program determined?
    • In the winter/spring of 2008, the UMASD Math Committee met with consultants of various companies to preview materials.  The focus of the committee was to determine which programs would support our goal of success in Algebra I in 8th grade for all students.  There were three groups: K - 5, 6 - 8, and high school.
    • High school members met with:
    Middle School members met with:
    K - 5 members met with: 
    All math materials were filtered through all buildings in the district to allow all math teachers grades Pre-K - 12 a chance to preview the materials and fill out an evaluation tool.  Using this information, the UMASD Math Committee determined the following:
    • Everyday Mathematics and enVisionMath would be chosen as full year pilots in various grade levels in the elementary buildings as well as grades 5 and 6 at the middle school.
    • Glencoe was chosen as the grade 7 - 12 math program.  This program is currently being used in 8th grade and in a Geometry class at the high school during the 2008 - 2009 school year.   It will be implemented during the 2009 - 2010 school year. 
    What training and follow-up sessions have been planned for the teachers using the Everyday Mathematics and enVisionMath pilot materials? 

    During the summer of 2008, all pilot teachers were trained during full day sessions with the consultants from the math companies.  Throughout the school year, the teachers have been and will be meeting to discuss the pilot programs including the strengths and weaknesses of each program. 

    When and how will the decision be made regarding which math program will be chosen for implementation during the 2009 - 2010 school year?  

    Throughout the first half of the school year, teachers have had the chance to meet with other teachers who are implementing the same pilot program.  At these meetings, the teachers shared what is working and what is not.  Professional Development opportunities have been created so that the teachers would have continued training on the pilot programs.  Administrators have been conducting walk-throughs and having discussions with teachers to monitor each of the pilot programs.  During faculty meetings, teachers are able to share their thoughts about the pilot programs.  In the next few weeks, an evaluation tool will be shared with the pilot teachers of each program and a day will be set aside for all pilot teachers at each grade level to meet with each other to discuss the pilots and share their experiences with the pilots. 

    An interest inventory interview will also be conducted during the next few weeks for student input.  A decision will be made with the goal of achieving success for all students in Algebra I in 8th grade.  We are looking for the best program that will help support that goal.  

    Why has UMASD decided to provide the opportunity for all students to take Algebra I in 8th grade? 

    It became apparent from research and the presentation by Joe Merlino, Director of the Math and Science Partnership of Greater Philadelphia, that UMASD needed to ramp up our math program to provide our students the opportunity to access higher level courses at the secondary level.  Research shows that students who have the opportunity to access higher level courses in secondary schools have a better chance of success in post-secondary situations.   

    With this in mind, during the fall of 2007, the elementary members of the UMASD Math Committee had a discussion regarding grouping practices in K - 6 and also Algebra I in 8th grade, and how this would impact the curriculum writing of grades Pre-K to 6th grade.  Committee Members also looked at the 8th grade curriculum and back-tracked it through the grades to make sure that there was horizontal as well as vertical articulation.  At the same time, grade 7th - 12th teachers met to discuss the Algebra I in 8th grade initiative and how that would impact on the secondary curriculum. 

    In the spring of 2008, the middle school members of the Math Committee met to create a 2008 - 2011 timeline that would enable all students to be successful in Algebra I in 8th grade.  High School Math Committee members met to develop a timeline that would build from the middle school and reflect the math sequence of Algebra I to Geometry to Algebra II.  This would allow most students to complete the required courses by the end of 10th grade.  Additional Math courses will be developed to allow students to choose higher level courses that are both rigorous and relevant to their choosing.

    What steps have been taken to ensure that all UMASD students will be successful in Algebra I in 8th grade? 
    • Support classes at the elementary level
    • Support classes at the middle school level
    What other Montgomery County School Districts are using Everyday Mathematics?
     
    District and Year of Implementation

    Abington - 1990
    Cheltenham - 2006
    Norristown - 2003
    Perkiomen Valley - 2000
    Pottsgrove - 2004
    Hatboro-Horsham - 2006
    Jenkintown - 1998
    Lower Moreland - 1999
    Methacton - 2007
    North Penn - 2001
    Souderton Area - 1999
    Spring Ford - 2001
    Springfield Twsp - 2005
    Wissahickon - 2005

    How many school districts across the nation are using the EDM program?

    The research-based Everyday Mathematics curriculum is used in nearly 185,000 classrooms across the United States by more than 3 million children.   

    Where can I go to help my student with the Everyday Mathematics program? 

    Please log in to the Everyday Mathematics online.  Please enter the username and password that was supplied by your child's teacher.

    What is the Scope and Sequence of Everyday Mathematics? 

    Where can I gain access to online materials for parents and students for Everyday Mathematics?

    Please log in with the username and password that was provided by your child's teacher. There is also a link for FAQ's for Everyday Mathematics
     
    Where can I go for online games that will help my child with math?

    The Center School District has created a great website for you to use to help your child with many areas of math.  If you click on the grade levels, you will find interactive manipulatives and games for grades K - 5. 

    What future activities will be provided for parents to attend?
     
    UMASD will hold another parent information night to answer any questions you may have regarding math at UMASD.  Look for flyers that will be sent home and notices on the UMASD building websites for additional information.