Math UpdateFor 6-12th grade math

July 15, 2019

Presenter

Jennifer Goforth

Director of K-12 STEM

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Agenda

•Presentation purpose•Background

•Data Review

•Recommendations

•Next Steps

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Purpose

To provide a high-level overview of the math program for Montclair Public Schools and how we got here.

• In 2015-2016, the math program for Montclair Public Schools was revised to increase opportunity to access upper level math courses for ALL students.

• This work promotes EQUALITY.

• Yet, you will see in this presentation that more work is needed towards EQUITY.

• Inherent biases must be teased out so that we include students who have circumstances or barriers that may hinder them.

Math 7

Math 6

Geom

A

MS

Geometry

Geom

H

PreCal

c H

AP

Calc

BC

Math 5

PreCal

c H

Alg ½

HH

Alg2

HH

Alg 1 A

Alg 1

HH

Alg 1 H

AP

Stats

Alg 2H

Alg 2A

TrigCal

c HH

Geom

HH

Calc H

AP

Calc

AB

PreCal

c H

Prob &

Stats

AP

Calc

BC

AP

Calc

AB

Calc H

Calc III

PreCal

c A

AP

Stats

Alg 1

Math

8

Alg B

Alg A Alg B

Alg A

Grade 12Grade 11Grade 10Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6

Montclair’s Math

Progression

Prior to 2016

EQUALITY in Math

In an effort to increase opportunities for all students to take Calculus or higher in high school:

• Implemented an ALGEBRA for ALL middle school students as a two-year program called Algebra A/B.

• Moved from three levels of math to two in Montclair High School.

• Removed the high school Algebra I/II course that required students to repeat Geometry in sophomore year and take Algebra II over three semesters.

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

EQUITY in Math

New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Math (NJSLS) Excellence in mathematics education requires equity high expectations, worthwhile opportunities, accommodation for differences, resources, and strong support for all students.

Curriculum: A coherent curriculum effectively MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

EQUITY in Math

An excerpt from the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) position statement:

Achieving access and equity requires that all stakeholders ensure that all students have access to a challenging mathematics curriculum taught by skilled and effective teachers who:

differentiate instruction as needed; monitor student progress and make needed accommodations; and offer remediation or additional challenges when appropriate.

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

EQUITY in Math

• A few minutes (2011) from Bob Moses, • American educator and civil rights activist and creator of The Algebra Project:

The notion is simple: Every child must master algebra, preferably by eighth grade, for algebra is the gateway to the college-prep curriculum,

which in turn is the path to higher education, which is seen as the key

to even basic success in modern society.

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Current MS Math ProgramRenaissance Middle School (RMS) • Only offers Algebra A/B at

the accelerated level. • Teachers continue to

differentiate to meet student needs in the accelerated level classes.

• All RMS students take Math 6 and may take Algebra A Accelerated in addition to Math 6 for enrichment.

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Middle School Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

Geometry

(*Opt Alg B Accel

with Geometry)

Algebra

2/Trig H

Algebra 2 H

(*Opt Geo.

H)

Trig/Calc. H

or

Pre-Calc. H

AP Calc. BC

AP Calc. AB

Calc. H

Calc. III HH

AP Calc. BC

AP Calc. AB

AP Statistics

Algebra B Accel.

or

Algebra B

Geometry H

or

Geometry

Algebra 2 H

or

Algebra 2

Trig/Calc. H

Pre-Calc. H

Pre-Calc.

** Prob & Stats

H

** Prob & Stats

AP Calc. AB

Calc. H

AP Stats

Prob. & Stats

H

Prob. & Stats

Algebra B Algebra I H

or

Algebra I

Geometry H

or

Geometry

Algebra 2 H

or

Algebra 2

Pre-Calc.

or

Prob. & Stats

* Option to double in Geometry in 8th or 9th Grade to accelerate.

** Alternate option to Pre-Calculus or recommend taking Probability & Statistics after Pre-

Calculus.

Current Grade 8 to 12MathCoursePathways

How are our students doing?

WHO: 2017-2018 middle school students.

HOW: How did they perform on the district final exams in each math course offered?

WHY: Are students successfully completing middle school math courses?

LET’s TAKE A CLOSER LOOK…

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

District Final Exam Averages for Middle School Comparison for 2017-2018

74

69

77

71

78

81

71

56

73

57

7778

6668

76

81

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

MATHEMATICS 6 ALGEBRA A ALGEBRA AACCELERATED

ALGEBRA B ALGEBRA BACCELERATED

GEOMETRY

Average Score: 2017-18 Final Exam

Buzz Aldrin Glenfield Renaissance

Summary…

Majority of Montclair Public Schools’ middle schoolers are passing the district final exams in all middle school courses.

• Algebra A and Algebra B students in Glenfield are significantly below passing on the district final exam.

• Renaissance does not have results for Algebra A/B because all students take Algebra A/B Accelerated.

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

How are our students doing?

• Accelerated student data will not be analyzed in the next slides as they continue to perform above expectations for their grade level.

• 75% or higher performance in Math will be used as a benchmark for meeting expectations.

• Algebra A/B student data will be analyzed as they are the students who would have taken Math 7/8.

Are students successfully advancing in math who would not have had the opportunity to do so in the past?

LET’s TAKE A CLOSER LOOK…

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2018-2019, 9th graders with 75%+ that earned 75%+ in Algebra B

88%

70%

96%

67%

100%

58%50%

89% 85%

67%

100%

75%

92% 93% 100%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Algebra I Algebra I H Geometry Geometry H Algebra II H orHigher

Buzz Aldrin Middle SchoolGlenfield Middle SchoolRenaissance Middle School at the Rand Building

n=16n=12

n=7 n=9n=11

n=7

n=75

n=55

n=14n=12

n=11n=13

n=1 n=3

n=20

To summarize…

• Algebra for All is working for the majority of students.

• Majority of students who successfully completed Algebra A/B were placed in Geometry and majority of these students are successful in Geometry (averaging over 75% in class).• Renaissance Middle School results are considerably higher

because there are no levels offered, thus high performing students are combined with lower.

• Glenfield has the lowest performance in comparison except for Geometry Honors.

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Enrollment of 9th graders in Geometry or Algebra I/II

18% 17%

5%

19%

25%

59% 59%

41%

33%

70%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Total Asian Black or AfricanAmerican

Hispanic or Latino White

2015-16 2018-19

To Summarize…

After implementing Algebra for All, more students are not repeating Algebra in 9th grade, thus increasing the percent of students across demographics. Percent Increase for students shown below:White: 45%

Hispanic: 14% Black: 36%

Asian: 42%

Overall: 41%

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Summary continued…The racial gap still persists …

• In 2015-2016, there was a 20% difference between Black students vs White students who are moving past Algebra in 9th grade.

• In 2018-2019, there was a 30% difference between Black students vs White students who are moving past Algebra in 9th grade.

• For Algebra B students to legitimately excel past Geometry in 9th grade, students would have to double in math in 8th grade or take an external Geometry course.

• This is our equity work: How can we better communicate the opportunities coupled with support?

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

How are struggling students doing?

How many students did not do well in Algebra B, that earned below 75%...

• Where are they in 9th grade?

• What percent are meeting expectations?

Are struggling learners in math being given ongoing support and adequate programming for math?

LET’s TAKE A CLOSER LOOK…

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Enrollment of students in Algebra in 9th grade

63%57%

92%

67%

46%

29%

18%

57% 55%

14%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Total Asian Black or AfricanAmerican

Hispanic or Latino White

2015-16 2018-19

To summarize…In 2016, almost all Black or African American students (92%) were enrolled in Algebra in 9th grade. This means almost all of these students did not have an opportunity to take higher level math above Pre-Calculus.

In 2018, all MS students completed the Algebra A/B course. Thus, all students from different backgrounds, benefitted and advanced in math.

A third (34%) more students are completing Algebra 1 in MS than before.

The largest improvement: 35% more Black or African American students advanced past Algebra in 9th grade.

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2018-2019, 9th graders with 75%+ that earned below 75% in Algebra B

74%

0%

100%

86%

67%

0%

50% 50% 50%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Algebra I Algebra I H Geometry

Buzz Aldrin Middle School

Glenfield Middle School

Renaissance Middle School at the Rand Building

n=23

n=7

n=8

n=3

n=6

n=2 n=1 n=2

n=2

Summary continued…

• A third (33%) students enter 9th grade above Geometry Honors (advanced path).

• A third (33%) students enter 9th grade with Geometry (accelerated path) .

• A third (33%) students enter 9th grade with Algebra (traditional path).

• Of those that repeat Algebra, 70% average are successful in 9th grade.

• 20% of our students overall continue to struggle with math.

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Next Steps: Supporting our Students

Montclair is reviewing and purchasing resources to support our learners, including:

• New K-5 Math Program: Go Math, that includes a personalized Math Trainer tool for providing intervention and enrichment.

• Forming a committee to review Math Lab, structure, guidelines, resources and curriculum for 6-12 math support.

• Providing coaching and professional development for K-12 teachers in blended learning, engagement, cultural responsiveness and differentiation.

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Final ConclusionThe implementation of Algebra for all our middle school students has accomplished its goal to provide opportunity to access higher level math for all students, yet more work is needed to decrease the achievement gap and provide adequate support for struggling students.

*This work is in progress and the final results will be determined when this cohort graduates in 2022.

Thank you to all of the staff and parents that have supported our students in math, especially with the transition to changes in our math program!

MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS