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Committees & Advisory Groups

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.

 

Related Documents:
Math Committee Agenda Nov. 25, 2013
PreK-12 Math Committee Charter
Math Committee Roster
Norms of Collaboration
Outcomes
Publishers Criteria
State Report Card Trends
Committee Minutes 11/25/13
Committee PowerPoint
Western PowerPoint
Five Big Ideas From Common Core Standards to Curriculum

Belief Statements
Screening Tool Brainstorm
Plus & Delta’s for 1.7.14
Revised Belief Statements
Feb.20.14 Minutes
March 4, 2014 Minutes
Adoption Feedback
CCSS High School Math in Middle School
PLC Exit Task.pdf
Committee Minutes 4.22.14
Math Committee Recommendation May 2014 

Middle School Math Q&A