Active Learning

CCMS Math NightFebruary 20th, 2014

Welcome and Introductions

Acknowledge reasons for attendanceTo learn about the programConcerns about the programQ & A, Comments after presenters, restrooms are openOur Assurances to YouEvery decision is intended to benefit your studentsGoals: Greater college eligibilityMore competitive for admission to heavily sought after schoolsTo actually be proficient in the skills that are needed to succeed in collegeAssurances:We will not sabotage your students

1Why Change the Way We Teach?ACT Report (Summer, 2013)

Most high school graduates who took the ACT tests this year are not prepared for college or even life, according to data released by the testing company. (Phillip Elliott, 8/2013).

Only 44% of test takers met readiness benchmark.More Reasons Why

On the 2013 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Mathematics Assessment, 64% of 8th graders performed below the proficiency level nationally.U.S. is 31st in Performance in Mathematics as measured by Program for International Student Assessments (PISA).

Even in Culver City CCHS CST Scores

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PERCEPTIONS OF A FLAWED SYSTEMInstructionallyGrading

InstructionDiscuss breadth instead of depthPressure of pacingFocus on procedural understanding instead of conceptual understanding

GradingThe perils of the point system

6So Then What?

Common Core State Standards (CCSS)Currently 45/50 states have adopted them, including California.We will be formally assessed in the Spring of 2015For more info, go to: www.corestandards.org To take a look at the assessment they will be taking, go to:www.smarterbalanced.org

COMMON COREMake sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Model with mathematics.Use appropriate tools strategically.Attend to precision. Look for and make use of structure. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

The Common Core is a systemic response to the nationwide problem of lack of student readiness for college.Focuses on skills and practices along with concept mastery.

8STANDARDS BASED GRADINGGrades are a measurement of students' proficiency on well-defined course objectives.Gives real meaning to grades.Point systems that award tasks do not stand up to scrutiny.Reduces over-quantification occurring in classesMost importantly teachers can use grades to understand and analyze student performance.Teaches what quality looks like (does not reward substandard work).Gives teachers a clearer metric for how effective they are.

The standards based grading movement is a practice that has been implemented to establish grading practices that promote learning.

Emphasize this is not new. This isnt an untested experiment or pilot. It is in practice at many schools even in LAUSD, and you are probably already accustomed to what it looks like in elementary school.

Consider the example of the parent-teacher conference in elementary school vs. high school.9Enter the MLC This is a collaborative partnership with Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Leonetti OConnell Family Foundation, Louis L. Borick Foundation, and the Cotsen Foundation.CMAST (MLC) Goals and ValuesGoals:CMAST provides an apprenticeship and experiential model for professional development to transform math and science education. This is accomplished through the implementation of a Math and Science Teaching (MAST) System intentionally and strategically designed around student learning of mathematics and science in grades K through twelve.

Our Values:Math and science as an exuberantway of lifeAll students can learn and enjoy rigorous mathematics and sciencePositive, aggressive, and productive perseverance through obstaclesCommunicate and collaborate to innovate from withinWe embrace a growth mind-set versus a fixed mind set (Dweck,Carol)

KEY COMPONENTS OF MLC

FOCUS ON ACTIVE LEARNINGEngage in rigorous mathematical tasksLearn the eight Mathematical Practices as a habit of mindDevelop and strengthen a growth mindsetUtilize their mathematics literacy to communicateBecome part of the assessment process to advocate for their learningAssessment for learningOur Data!

This Year93% of our students earned a C or better first semester when compared to 88% the previous six semesters (+5%)

201335% As37% Bs21% Cs