PreK-12 Math Committee

Purpose(s)/Goal:

Participate in a mathematics program review and adoption process for grades PreK-12.

Basis for Establishment:

Establish a focused, rigorous, and coherent mathematics instructional program to improve student achievement using the Common Core State Standards.

Decision-Making Process:

Advisory group to the superintendent; recommend math materials for grades PreK-12 to the superintendent.

Plan of Work:

Convene committee to discuss the work of the year
Begin program review, including reviewing current state of materials time spent teaching mathematics, professional development support, etc.
Conduct teacher perception survey, parent and student survey
The committee will also take into consideration:
- Students with disabilities, English Learners and Highly Capable Learners. Online and open educational resource opportunities
- Technology use/implications
- Assessment system
- Learning of Common Core State Standards-Mathematics
- Recent research on best practices in mathematics
- Feedback from staff, students and parents

Dates/Agenda Items:

2013-14 School Year: All meetings will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Room 212 at the District Office. All committee members are expected to attend all eight days listed. (The weeks of Feb. 22-March 3, 2014 will be a time to collect perception data. No meetings are scheduled during this time.)

November 25: Develop team norms, review the scope of the work, review research and data collected. Identify needs. Minutes
December 17: Professional readings, develop belief statement(s), create screening tool. Minutes
January 7: Study publisher’s criteria, create recommendation form. Minutes
February 20 and 21: Screen all available materials, select no more than three semi-finalists for further review; complete a domain trace. 2.20.14 Minutes, 2.21.14 Minutes
March 4: Publisher’s presentations; complete bias screenings. Continue to examine semi-finalists. 3.4.14 Minutes
March 27: Final recommendation, complete proposal paperwork. 3.27.14 Minutes
April 22: Professional development planning, selecting dates for summer work. 4.22.14 Minutes

These are not committee meeting dates, but are part of the process:

February 22 to March 3, 2014: Staff/Parent/Student feedback on semi-finalists. The public/staff review of semi-finalists was postponed to March 10 to 14.
June 16 to 20, 2014: Tentative dates being held for initial use summer professional development for all staff affected.

Committee Members (represent job function groups within the District)

Central Office Representatives:

Charisse Berner, Director of Teaching and Learning -Chair
Jeanette Grisham, Assistant Principal/Principal on Special Assignment – Co-Chair
Mike Copland, Dept. Superintendent – Executive

Community Partners:

Chris Ohana, Western Washington University
Ed Harri, Higher Ed., Whatcom Community College
J. Brandon Adams, Higher Ed., Bellingham Technical College
Kristine Wilson, Opportunity Council
Stacey Nordtvedt, Elementary Parent
Kristine Weller, Secondary Parent

District Representatives:

Caren Pitsch, Teacher, Alderwood Elementary
Lisa Conlon, Teacher, Carl Cozier Elementary
Shannon Sampson, Teacher, Columbia Elementary
Sara Neyman, Teacher, Cordata Elementary
Lisa Cassidy, Teacher, Geneva Elementary
Beth Kealy, Teacher, Lowell Elementary
Cami Burfeind, Teacher, Parview Elementary
Marca Kidwell-Babcock, Teacher Parkview Elementary
Merdith Attar, Teacher, Roosevelt Elementary
Nicole, Talley, Principal, Silver Beach Elementary
Shari Lingbloom, Teacher Silver Beach Elementary
Lisa Richardson, Teacher, Sunnyland Elementary
Nate Cornelesen, Teacher, Wade King Elementary
Lori Thoreson, Teacher, Wade King Elementary
Breann Hulford, Teacher, Fairhaven Middle
Tommy Lingbloom, Teacher, Kulshan Middle
Beth Janis, Teacher, Shuksan Middle
Chuck DeVange, Teacher, Whatcom Middle
Ryland Huff, Assistant Principal, Bellingham High
Scott Smartt, Teacher, Bellingham High
Maria Griggs, Teacher, Sehome High
Kristen Reimers, SpEd Teacher, Sehome High
Elyse Slagle, Teacher Squalicum High

Responsibilities:

Communicate and make public all meeting agendas and minutes
Communicate and make public findings from the review
Make recommendations regarding mathematics materials for adoption to the superintendent, who will share with all stakeholders.

Timeline:

November 2013 – June 2014 (review and adoption) 8 days
June 2014 – ongoing (summit team – subgroup)

Budget Implications:

Substitute reimbursement for staff committee members to meet
This committee’s recommendation will result in significant budget allocation requirements for the purchase of math materials as well as supporting professional development.