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.