Research for Better Schools

Recent Technical Assistance Projects

Title: Middle School Math Project

Sponsor/Funder: U. S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

Target Audience: Middle school mathematics teachers in five Mid-Atlantic schools

Collaborating Agencies: Kramer Middle School (Washington, DC), Northeast Middle School (Baltimore, MD), Paterson School No. 2 (Paterson, NJ), Woodbury Middle School (Woodbury, NJ), Woodrow Wilson Middle School (Philadelphia, PA), and other Eisenhower Regional Consortia

Dates: 2000 - 2005

Description: Under the auspices of the Mid-Atlantic Consortium for Mathematics and Science Education, RBS developed a Middle School Mathematics Project (MSMP) in collaboration with the other Eisenhower Regional Consortia. The project was initiated in response to TIMSS data, which revealed relatively low performance of U.S. middle school students. The goal of the project was to assist schools in developing strategies that could improve student performance in mathematics, based upon school site analysis and research-based professional development resources.

In sring 2000, RBS collected baseline data that included: the description of the school, demographics of the student body and mathematics teaching staff, an outline of the current mathematics curriculum, topics covered in mathematics instruction for each grade, mathematics staff professional development activities, student mathematics achievement scores, and a needs assessment survey. Informed by these data, RBS staff collaborated with the schools to provide professional development activities and coaching with a goal of strengthening teachers' content knowledge and strategies for effective teaching.

The activities varied by school, based upon developing a close working relationship with the principal and faculty. Some of the activities included implementation of the Singapore math series using lesson study, professional development activities focused on other curriculum and instruction practices, observations of mathematics lessons with personal and electronic follow-up conversations with teachers, and teacher participation in regional conferences.

Outcomes: Outcomes varied by school. Some of the outcomes include the continuing implementation of the Singapore mathematics curriculum, teacher focus on and better understanding of the scope and sequence of grades 1 - 8 mathematics, collaboration for continuing the planning and co-teaching of some classes, stronger communication and planning among special education and regular education teachers, and improved student achievement.

Products and/or Web Links: None Available

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