District Administration - April 2007 - (Page 90)

Problem/Solution • Ken Royal Navigating Mathematics Problem: In 2004, at-risk students at Lake Highlands Junior High School (LHJH) in the Richardson Independent School District (RISD), Texas, were falling behind mathematically, with none passing the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). Performance by seventhand eighth-graders on the TAKS needed improvement. Additionally, a large district teacher turnover had increased the number of new teachers who lacked mathteaching experience. feedback into their teaching and to instantly assess student understanding. Because they could quickly see whether students understood a concept, they knew when they MORE TIME FOR MATH Students solve math could move problems in 100-minute classes. forward, or if additional teaching was needed. Participation increased, which led to in-depth student explanations, where students planned how to solve problems. “I’ve actually seen the achievement gap closing,” says Kristen San Juan, the Texas Instrument’s math block program specialist, “and this has taught me that every student is capable of learning.” Solution: In August 2005, a new math intervention was piloted at Lake Highlands Junior High for 125 students who had failing math scores on the 2005 TAKS. Of the eight teachers in the pilot program, four had an average of three years’ experience, and four were new teachers who had taken an alternate teaching certiﬁcation route. Texas Instruments provided the technology, including the TI-Navigator Classroom Learning System and the TI-73 Explorer graphing calculators, training instructors and a program manager to oversee the project. LHJH instituted common weekly planning periods for teachers and IT staff and set assessment benchmarks. Benchmarks Two very important needs were suggested, and both Based on initial benchmarks, the mid-year review showed played a crucial role in the intervention process. Students LHJH students were enjoying math more than in previous were asked what they wanted out of a math class, and years and that students were more motivated. they said more time. Over 30 percent of the students who participated in Teachers were asked the intervention passed the 2006 TAKS after failing the what they needed previous year. to be successful, and At the end of 2006, LHJH increased its district their answer was rankings from seventh to second for seventh-graders and more math training. from seventh to ﬁfth for eighth-graders. Based on those According to RISD Deputy Superintendent Patti suggestions—plus Keiker, Texas Instruments and RISD have teamed up district needs and and implemented a successful math program. The pilot data—LHJH and program’s success has expanded this year to include ENGAGING TECHNOLOGY Math students Texas Instruments a more heterogeneous, mixed-ability group of over at LHJH use TI-73 Explorers. developed key points 700 students and more than 20 teachers at ﬁve other to positively impact math performance. They doubled district junior high schools. RISD has purchased over instruction time from 50 to 100 $60,000 worth of technology for the minutes on a daily basis, integrated implementation, and Texas Instruments RESOURCES Texas Instrument’s technology, will continue to deliver professional used common aligned assessment, development. RISD is hoping that the Lake Highlands accelerated the curriculum, and set high project will continue to show positive Junior High School www.risd.org/schools/lhjh student expectations. results, allowing the district to complete its plan to include all eight junior high Richardson Independent schools in the district. DA Math Class School District www.risd.org Teachers learned how to integrate the TI-Navigator system’s real-time Ken Royal is associate editor. 90 April 2007 District Administration http://www.risd.org/schools/lhjh http://www.risd.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - April 2007

Editor's Letter
Update
Inside the Law
Curriculum Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
“See You in Court!"
Lost in Translation
Bonding Agents
Certifying AP Courses
Hunting for Talent - Part 2
Buying Power
The Musty Bookshelf
New Products
Leadership
Speaking Out
The Online Edge
Problem/Solution
Calendar of Events
Overheard On The Pulse

District Administration - April 2007