District Administration - June 2006 - (Page 54)

MATHEMATICS 8th Grade Algebra: Finding a Formula for Success If your district is considering this trend, here's some advice on mathematics' good news/bad news situation By Lisa Fratt expla i ns Seeley. Students and teach- adopted an elementary math curricu- ore districts are offering M ers require rigorous support, and the lu m designed to accelerate under- algebra to 8th graders to K-12 math curriculum may need to st a nd i ng of pre-algebra concepts like spur enrollment in higher be revamped. number sense and problem solving. level math courses dur- Trad it iona lly, algebra bridges The district also implemented robust i ng high school. But accelerating the elementary and high school math, professional development at the ele- math curriculum represents a com- opening the door to higher level ment a r y and middle school levels. plex equation and success hinges on math. Shifting algebra from 9th to Many elementary teachers lack multiple variables. 8th grade presents a subtraction sufficient knowledge of math con- Today's students need more math, problem. Teachers are left with one cept s, so elementary level profes- science and technology courses than less year to provide students with the siona l development is focused on ever before, confirms Cathy Seeley, building blocks for algebraic success. enhancing understanding of math president of the National Council When a district moves algebra to 8th content, says Johnston. In addition, of Teachers of Mathematics. More grade, concepts like data analysis and the district employs 13 math coaches districts are responding by offering proportionality must be addressed in to provide just-in-time coaching or requiring algebra in 8th grade, 7th grade or compressed in the 8th and modeling for teachers at its 22 potentially enabling more students grade algebra course. elementary schools. to enroll in calculus and statistics in Arling ton Va. Public Schools have M iddle school professional devel- high school. But relocating algebra offered algebra to 8th grade students opment , on the other hand, trains to middle school is a tough transition for more than a decade; middle school teachers to use multiple strategies to that may require districts to revisit the enrollment in algebra increased from foster understanding of algebra con- entire math curriculum. In addition, 27 percent in 1999-2000 to 48 per- cept s. Sometimes, it takes students pushing algebra down may not be in cent in 2004-05. We don't want to two or three ways of looking at a con- students' best interests, says Seeley. put students in algebra before they're cept to understand it, says Johnston. The first factor: preparation ready. We've targeted our efforts T he School District of Philadel- to develop a high level of readiness ph ia , which enrolled all 15,000 of T he 8th grade algebra trend is a among our students, explains Mark its 8th grade students in algebra in good news/bad news situation. The Johnston, assistant superintendent of 2005-06, relies on a slightly different good news is that if it's done well dis- instruction. In Arlington, readiness approach. Philly laid the groundwork t r ic t s can meet the goal of increasing begins at the elementary level. for its district-wide Algebra8 curricu- enrollment in higher level math. The Five years ago, the district lu m in 2003 with the introduction bad news is that it's hard to do well, Continued on page 63 54 June 2006 District Administration math.w.indd 54 5/15/06 4:13:31 PM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - June 2006

Contents
Editor's Letter
Update
Inside the Law
Curriculum Update
Administrator Profile
District Profile
Graduation Woes
The Hidden Downside of Wireless Networking
Cover Story: John Q. Porter: Leader/Pioneer/Secret Shopper
8th Grade Algebra: Finding a Formula for Success
Building a Strong Community Partnership
Join the A/V Club
Big Brother Gets Bolder
Security Trends
The Online Edge
Speaking Out
Problem/Solution
Research Corner
Research Corner
Computer Literature
New Products
By the Numbers

District Administration - June 2006