| The
Department of Defense Education Activity
(DoDEA) selected “Math Matters” as
its theme for this school year. In DoDDS
Pacific, several mathematics initiatives
are being implemented that focus on assisting
students, raising achievement, supporting
teachers, and obtaining additional resources
in mathematics’ classrooms under
the 2001-2006 DoDEA Community Strategic
Plan.
In addition, the DoDEA High School Initiative, which began School Year 2002-2003,
provides resources over a five-year period to assist all high schools in offering
consistent and quality educational programs for all high school students. A vital
component of this initiative focuses on mathematics and calls for support classes
for Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II.
Beginning last school year, all high schools in DoDDS Pacific offered Algebra
I lab classes. In School Year 2003-2004, we added an additional lab class in
geometry. These classes provide support to students who score below the 50th
percentile on the mathematics portion of the systemwide TerraNova assessment
and who traditionally have had difficulty with mathematics.
We are also providing professional development for teachers of math courses.
During the summer of 2003, thirty-five DoDDS Pacific teachers participated in
one of four University of Northern Iowa Mathematics Institutes.
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The
Mathematics Leadership Institute was
offered to teachers who indicated that
they were interested in becoming leaders
in the improvement of mathematics instruction
within their local school community. |
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The
Middle Grades Mathematics Institute for
middle school math teachers focused on
algebraic thinking, best practices for
the delivery of instruction, and the
role of the middle school teacher in
preparing all students for the successful
study of algebra and geometry. |
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The
Geometry Lab and Algebra Lab Institutes
for teachers scheduled to teach our new
lab courses focused on educational research
relating to how students learn mathematics,
best practices for delivering instruction,
and the use of technology and manipulatives
in a mathematics classroom. Teachers
became familiar with Geometer’s
Sketchpad and Excel software, the TI-83
graphing calculator, and algebra tiles. |
All geometry and
geometry lab teachers in DoDEA high schools are receiving additional training
related
to our initiatives at four-day workshops in the
fall and spring of this school year. These opportunities ensure teachers
employ instructional practices that are designed to raise student achievement
levels. Teachers are also supported by our DoDDS Pacific secondary math coordinator
who provides assistance in the implementation of new math lab classes at
each of the high schools.
DoDEA has purchased Cognitive Tutor for Algebra and Cognitive Tutor for Geometry
for all of the high school math lab classes. All of the algebra and geometry
lab teachers received four days of training on this software the first week
of December 2003.
In addition, we are enhancing our mathematics curriculum with technology tools
for exclusive use in the algebra and geometry lab classrooms. These include
a notebook computer, an InFocus projection device, five desktop computers with
Microsoft Office and Inspiration software, a TI-83 Silver Edition projection
calculator, a classroom set of graphing calculators, and a site license for
the school for Geometer’s Sketchpad and for Cognitive Tutor. The purchase
of additional calculators is also planned for the middle and high schools.
This year, DoDDS Pacific is supporting the participation
in the MATHCOUNTS competition for middle schools students. The school and chapter
competitions
will be conducted in February 2004. The top four DoDDS Pacific students from
that competition will participate in the DoD school “state” competition
in March 2004. The winners of that competition will enter the national competition
May 7, 2004, in Washington, D.C.
New more rigorous mathematics requirements will be in effect for the graduating
class of 2008. These graduates will need to complete Algebra I, Geometry, and
a third higher level mathematics course--to be determined. This is in response
to the belief that standards-based schools and rigorous coursework will provide
students with the needed foundation to compete for and succeed in technically-oriented
careers.
The DoDEA theme, “Math Matters,” coincides with the President’s
education agenda in mathematics and is aligned with the National Council of
Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards and guiding principles. In order to
meet the goals of the DoDEA Community Strategic Plan, we know we must offer
challenging standards and courses of rigor. I want our students to have the
mathematics skills and knowledge to be competitive in the fields of mathematics,
engineering, and science. I am confident that our High School Initiative in
the area of mathematics will have a positive impact and will greatly contribute
to the academic success of our students.
Nancy
C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS Pacific
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