Transition Math Project - Recently Updated Pages

TMP Professional Development Discussion Forum

cgildner — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:41:21 CST

Hello and thank you for joining one or more of our online professional development events!

This page has been created for you to share your thoughts on any aspect of the event(s) that you attended. Feel free to begin a discussion on the content of the session, the presenter(s), or even the online tool itself.

We leave it up to you and we are very interested in what you have to say.
We also welcome your ideas on topics and/or presenters that may be of interest to the TMP partners.

Placement Test Issues

BillM — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:13:59 CST

What creative kind of approaches are any of your colleges taking in helping students prepare for and be successful on your math placement test/s? In particular, are any of you currently offering or developing a "refresher" course or experience of some kind to students during the summer as a way of helping them brush up on the math skills they need for the placement test/s? You can either click on "EasyEdit" above to add your comments on this page directly, or you can start a discussion thread below ("Start a New Thread") as a way of responding. Thanks!

Community & Business Engagement to Bring About Change in Math Education

cgildner — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:07:39 CST

It was the TMP's good fortune to welcome Jo Boaler, Marie Curie Chair of the University of Sussex, and Ruth Parker, CEO, Mathematics Education Collaboration, at a webinar event to discuss community involvement promoting change in math education.

Jo and Ruth talked about their work with the public. Jo relates experiences with an interesting cross-section of US society, talking about research and mathematics-learning. The publication of her recent book has meant that interaction with publishers, journalists, parents & politicians brought many interesting reactions to the results of her work. Ruth, who Jo describes as “the best engager of the public I know!”, discussed her work with parents and the business community - how her organization has developed a network to bring these groups together to bring math to all students.The session sparked some insightful comments from the participants and we encourage you to continue the conversation here on the TMP Wiki page.

John House, TMP Project Coordinator, begins the thread here with some thoughts that came to mind as a result of his participation in the webinar.

To view the entire recording of Jo's and Ruth's presentations, click here

Webinar Discussion Questions

BillM — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:44:07 CST

Discussion Questions from "Improving High School Math Performance: Solutions for a Vexing Problem", Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession, October 2008

We're working with the Center to arrange a series of webinar meetings built around these discussion questions (you can read or download the report from the "Research Reports" page on their web site).

#1 What are the qualities of effective mathematics instruction? Has your district defined effective instruction?
#2 Why, over the most recent three-year period, do have we have fewer additional teachers with endorsements in high school math?
#3 How do teachers in your school and/or district learn to use a variety of instructional strategies?
#4 How does a teacher set up a learning environment that encourages students to take risks? How does a new math teacher learn to do this?
#5 What resources are available to teachers who want to learn how to differentiate instruction?
#6 What tools do teachers use to understand which students need help, what they're struggling with and what kinds of interventions are necessary?
#7 How do supports for students and teachers contribute to teachers' effectiveness and student achievement? How can we assure that all schools have the supports students need?
#8 How can assessments be better integrated into everyday instruction?

Case-Writing as Tool for Math Professional Development

cgildner — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:01:15 CST

Once again this year we welcomed Katherine Merseth, Director, Teacher Education Program, Harvard University. She has been a regular supporter and contributor to the TMP for the past few years, spending time with us at the 2007 Summer Institute and most recently at the 2008 Fall Working Retreat.

Kay has recently published a book, Windows on Teaching Math: Cases of Middle and Secondary Classrooms, and used its premise to present a webinar for us. Her ability to create an environment that encourages active discussion and anecdote-sharing, made this session rich with useful information.
It was generally agreed that the case-writing concept can be used in a number of ways within the TMP partnership - even in the development of a Phase III proposal.

Below, John House, TMP Project Coordinator, starts the thread with thoughts emanating from his paricipation in Kay's webinar session.

To view a complete recording of Kay's session, click here
To access the session's companion documents, click here

Standards Alignment

BillM — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:05:14 CST

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

08-09 First Quarter Report Forum

cgildner — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:49:29 CDT

(7/1/2008 - 9/30/2008) PROGRESS

With the intent of fostering a lively conversation around each project's goals, start up work and events for the year, we are asking you all to join the discussion on the topics listed below. Because this will serve as this year's First Quarter Report, we ask every project lead to post a reply to each topic. We also ask that each of you comment on at least two of your fellow project leads replies.

REMEMBER TO HAVE YOUR POSTINGS COMPLETE BY OCTOBER 15th AND RETURN TO THIS PAGE TO POST REPLIES TO YOUR FELLOW PROJECT LEADS' COMMENTS.

We also ask that you complete the First Quarter Budget Report Form by Oct 15th and email it separately, as an attachment, to John, at jhouse@highline.edu
.
First Quarter (7/1/2008 - 9/30/2008) BUDGET Report Form - Please read the submission instructions on the budget form.

Our First Quarter Topics:
1. Exploring the Question of Sustainability
2. Outcomes for Your 08-09 Plan
3. Connecting Across our TMP Partnerships

Transition Math Project Home

BillM — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:56:54 CDT

Keep TMP moving forward!

Math Chat has been created as a TMP Partner workspace to share and expand ideas that will enrich the mathematics experience for our students statewide.

We invite you to comment on any of the topics already posted or to suggest your own topic for comment
by other TMP Partners.

Each of our Math Chat Topics is placed on a new page for your convenience in finding and posting replies. These pages are listed to the left of this text box under "Wiki Pages"

Go Back to the TMP Website Home Page

The "Standards Comparisons..." attachment below is related to the discussion thread entitled "New Standards Alignment with CRS"...

Sustainable Math Reform

JJHouse — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:25:29 CDT

As TMP considers a Phase III initiative, input from our local partners and state and national supporters will help us formulate a viable proposal for continued funding. Discussing, reviewing and evaluating those successful, sustainable elements of our local and statewide work to date, along with discussing the lessons learned, and where we see potential for more targeted efforts and scaling up, all will go a long way in helping the TMP maintain momentum and extend its reach. Please add to this discussion. We need your input!