Loudoun County Math Investigations

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Loudoun County Math Investigations

by Concerned!!

Sep 1, 2009

Does anyone know the present state of Math Investigations in Loudoun County? I hear mixed messages. Have they expanded the program for the upcoming school year? Have they hired more "math coaches"? This is such a horrible program that confuses the students, leaving them at a terrible disadvantage for algebra readiness! A teacher I was talking with indicated that some schools are getting part time math coaches in Loudoun County in order to try to expand the program into these schools. No parent or teacher buy-in...rather jamming it down their throats. Look at the letter below from Prince William County. Pressure works. Today, a blended approach, tomorrow, traditional math. What strikes me about Prince William is that the teachers now have the flexibility to do what's right for their students. I don't believe this is happenning in Loudoun. Any thoughts?

Prince William School Board motion on mathematics, 3/4/09, as amended.

Under the direct supervision of the Superinte...See MoreDoes anyone know the present state of Math Investigations in Loudoun County? I hear mixed messages. Have they expanded the program for the upcoming school year? Have they hired more "math coaches"? This is such a horrible program that confuses the students, leaving them at a terrible disadvantage for algebra readiness! A teacher I was talking with indicated that some schools are getting part time math coaches in Loudoun County in order to try to expand the program into these schools. No parent or teacher buy-in...rather jamming it down their throats. Look at the letter below from Prince William County. Pressure works. Today, a blended approach, tomorrow, traditional math. What strikes me about Prince William is that the teachers now have the flexibility to do what's right for their students. I don't believe this is happenning in Loudoun. Any thoughts?

Prince William School Board motion on mathematics, 3/4/09, as amended.

Under the direct supervision of the Superintendent, Prince William County Public Schools will implement a consistent blended approach to mathematics education with the following elements:

1. The goal at each grade level is to achieve the mathematics objectives of the Virginia Standards of Learning and the PWCS curriculum. The PWCS elementary curriculum shall ensure that all SOL essential knowledge and skills standards are covered at the grade level indicated in the SOL framework.

2. All students are expected to achieve conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and automatic recall of facts. Pacing guides shall designate practice for mastery of basic facts and for efficient execution of standard algorithms.

3. Math Investigations handbooks and activity books and traditional mathematics textbooks and workbooks will be provided for teachers and students as necessary to support a blended approach to the teaching of mathematics.

4. Classroom teachers shall have the flexibility to use instructional materials and strategies and to adjust pacing recommendations to achieve learning outcomes for all topics and SOL objectives. Classroom teachers will have discretion over the amount of time dedicated to direct instruction and inquiry-based methods.

5. The mathematics program shall be implemented within the structure of site-based management. Principals shall work with their staff and the parents in their school community to implement a specific balanced approach to mathematics instruction that meets the needs of all learners in their school.

6. Success of the program will be evaluated by scores on the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other achievement tests, by student readiness for advanced math courses such as extended math in sixth grade, and by survey responses from parents and staff members. SOL results will be evaluated and reported by grade level and by sub-groups. SOL results, including information on trends, will be compared with surrounding school divisions and with statewide results.

7. Advanced students shall be challenged with additional or more complex problems and activities offered in each classroom. These students shall be provided the opportunity to learn and practice more advanced concepts as they are ready.

Proposed by Michael Otaigbe (Coles), moved by Gil Trenum (Brentsville), seconded by Denita Ramirez (Woodbridge).

Vote: 8-0 in favor.

Comment

(2)

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LCPS teacher On 9/01/09, Concerned!! wrote: I teach in Loudoun and to my knowledge, they HAVE not expanded the program. My school did not make AYP and so yes, we are "working" with one of their coaches because my admin thinks it will help but as far as I know, the same schools have it and the others do one a quarter. > Does anyone know the present state of M...See MoreOn 9/01/09, Concerned!! wrote: I teach in Loudoun and to my knowledge, they HAVE not expanded the program. My school did not make AYP and so yes, we are "working" with one of their coaches because my admin thinks it will help but as far as I know, the same schools have it and the others do one a quarter. > Does anyone know the present state of Math Investigations > in Loudoun County? I hear mixed messages. Have they > expanded the program for the upcoming school year? Have > they hired more "math coaches"? This is such a horrible > program that confuses the students, leaving them at a > terrible disadvantage for algebra readiness! A teacher I > was talking with indicated that some schools are getting > part time math coaches in Loudoun County in order to try to > expand the program into these schools. No parent or teacher > buy-in...rather jamming it down their throats. Look at the > letter below from Prince William County. Pressure works. > Today, a blended approach, tomorrow, traditional math. What > strikes me about Prince William is that the teachers now > have the flexibility to do what's right for their students. > I don't believe this is happenning in Loudoun. Any > thoughts? > > Prince William School Board motion on mathematics, 3/4/09, > as amended. > > Under the direct supervision of the Superintendent, Prince > William County Public Schools will implement a consistent > blended approach to mathematics education with the > following elements: > > 1. The goal at each grade level is to achieve the > mathematics objectives of the Virginia Standards of > Learning and the PWCS curriculum. The PWCS elementary > curriculum shall ensure that all SOL essential knowledge > and skills standards are covered at the grade level > indicated in the SOL framework. > > 2. All students are expected to achieve conceptual > understanding, procedural fluency, and automatic recall of > facts. Pacing guides shall designate practice for mastery > of basic facts and for efficient execution of standard > algorithms. > > 3. Math Investigations handbooks and activity books and > traditional mathematics textbooks and workbooks will be > provided for teachers and students as necessary to support > a blended approach to the teaching of mathematics. > > 4. Classroom teachers shall have the flexibility to use > instructional materials and strategies and to adjust pacing > recommendations to achieve learning outcomes for all topics > and SOL objectives. Classroom teachers will have discretion > over the amount of time dedicated to direct instruction and > inquiry-based methods. > > 5. The mathematics program shall be implemented within the > structure of site-based management. Principals shall work > with their staff and the parents in their school community > to implement a specific balanced approach to mathematics > instruction that meets the needs of all learners in their > school. > > 6. Success of the program will be evaluated by scores on > the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other > achievement tests, by student readiness for advanced math > courses such as extended math in sixth grade, and by survey > responses from parents and staff members. SOL results will > be evaluated and reported by grade level and by sub-groups. > SOL results, including information on trends, will be > compared with surrounding school divisions and with > statewide results. > > 7. Advanced students shall be challenged with additional or > more complex problems and activities offered in each > classroom. These students shall be provided the opportunity > to learn and practice more advanced concepts as they are > ready. > > Proposed by Michael Otaigbe (Coles), moved by Gil Trenum > (Brentsville), seconded by Denita Ramirez (Woodbridge). > > Vote: 8-0 in favor.

Sep 2, 2009

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Heres the Deal I have taught in Loudoun for 10 years. We DO NOT use Math Investigations at my school. We "do" the required 1-2 a quarter. *WINK*

However, we make AYP every year doing TRADITIONAL MATH!! DUH! Schools in Loudoun do Math Investigations according to their principal. It is "school choice". I am blessed that I have admin. that see the faults w...See MoreI have taught in Loudoun for 10 years. We DO NOT use Math Investigations at my school. We "do" the required 1-2 a quarter. *WINK*

However, we make AYP every year doing TRADITIONAL MATH!! DUH! Schools in Loudoun do Math Investigations according to their principal. It is "school choice". I am blessed that I have admin. that see the faults with Math Invest.

What is funny is the schools that did not do Math Inv. scores are higher...........

On 9/02/09, LCPS teacher wrote: > On 9/01/09, Concerned!! wrote: I teach in Loudoun and to my > knowledge, they HAVE not expanded the program. > My school did not make AYP and so yes, we are "working" with > one of their coaches because my admin thinks it will help but > as far as I know, the same schools have it and the others do > one a quarter. >> Does anyone know the present state of Math Investigations >> in Loudoun County? I hear mixed messages. Have they >> expanded the program for the upcoming school year? Have >> they hired more "math coaches"? This is such a horrible >> program that confuses the students, leaving them at a >> terrible disadvantage for algebra readiness! A teacher I >> was talking with indicated that some schools are getting >> part time math coaches in Loudoun County in order to try to >> expand the program into these schools. No parent or teacher >> buy-in...rather jamming it down their throats. Look at the >> letter below from Prince William County. Pressure works. >> Today, a blended approach, tomorrow, traditional math. What >> strikes me about Prince William is that the teachers now >> have the flexibility to do what's right for their students. >> I don't believe this is happenning in Loudoun. Any >> thoughts? >> >> Prince William School Board motion on mathematics, 3/4/09, >> as amended. >> >> Under the direct supervision of the Superintendent, Prince >> William County Public Schools will implement a consistent >> blended approach to mathematics education with the >> following elements: >> >> 1. The goal at each grade level is to achieve the >> mathematics objectives of the Virginia Standards of >> Learning and the PWCS curriculum. The PWCS elementary >> curriculum shall ensure that all SOL essential knowledge >> and skills standards are covered at the grade level >> indicated in the SOL framework. >> >> 2. All students are expected to achieve conceptual >> understanding, procedural fluency, and automatic recall of >> facts. Pacing guides shall designate practice for mastery >> of basic facts and for efficient execution of standard >> algorithms. >> >> 3. Math Investigations handbooks and activity books and >> traditional mathematics textbooks and workbooks will be >> provided for teachers and students as necessary to support >> a blended approach to the teaching of mathematics. >> >> 4. Classroom teachers shall have the flexibility to use >> instructional materials and strategies and to adjust pacing >> recommendations to achieve learning outcomes for all topics >> and SOL objectives. Classroom teachers will have discretion >> over the amount of time dedicated to direct instruction and >> inquiry-based methods. >> >> 5. The mathematics program shall be implemented within the >> structure of site-based management. Principals shall work >> with their staff and the parents in their school community >> to implement a specific balanced approach to mathematics >> instruction that meets the needs of all learners in their >> school. >> >> 6. Success of the program will be evaluated by scores on >> the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other >> achievement tests, by student readiness for advanced math >> courses such as extended math in sixth grade, and by survey >> responses from parents and staff members. SOL results will >> be evaluated and reported by grade level and by sub-groups. >> SOL results, including information on trends, will be >> compared with surrounding school divisions and with >> statewide results. >> >> 7. Advanced students shall be challenged with additional or >> more complex problems and activities offered in each >> classroom. These students shall be provided the opportunity >> to learn and practice more advanced concepts as they are >> ready. >> >> Proposed by Michael Otaigbe (Coles), moved by Gil Trenum >> (Brentsville), seconded by Denita Ramirez (Woodbridge). >> >> Vote: 8-0 in favor.

Sep 6, 2009

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