Ogden, Weber to focus on math, parents
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Amy K. Stewart
Standard-Examiner staff
O
GDEN -- Elementary math is ending up being a target area in Ogden and Weber school districts for the 2007-08 school year.
The two districts each had to write a "District Improvement Plan" for being marked "not passing" on No Child Left Behind's Adequate Yearly Progress report. Data is based on students' spring 2007 tests.
Ogden and Weber districts' plans focus on elementary math because that is the area in which students in both districts have been struggling, judging from the AYP data.
The two districts are also emphasizing parental involvement to strengthen overall academics.
Weber's math plan
One goal of Weber district's math plan is to -- in grades four through six -- increase the number of teachers with an elementary math endorsement, which requires 18 credits at Weber State University.
The district is funding the teachers' tuition through a state grant and federal professional development funds, known as Title 2 money.
Teachers will therefore have a better understanding of using math manipulatives in the classroom, said Jane Ann Bitton, Weber district curriculum supervisor.
"Students will be able to increase their conceptual understanding," she said.
Students often struggle in math because they have simply memorized the procedures and "lack the ability to transfer or apply math concepts," said Jeff Stephens, Weber district assistant superintendent.
Weber district is hoping a state math initiative passes the Legislature this year. It would enable districts to hire elementary math coaches.
"The coaches would work with both students and teachers," Stephens said.
The district will also be using intervention tools, including the APEX online math program, which assesses student learning.
"The teacher will know if the student is struggling and can intervene quickly," Bitton said.
Ogden's math plan
Ogden district is going to buy new K-6 math textbooks.
District officials will select three nationally leading textbooks that will be tried out in several classes. The best book will be selected in February.
The district will then order the books in March, receive them in April, then train teachers at the beginning of summer. The training session will be voluntary because it's not part of teachers' contract time.
However, educators who participate in the training will be paid around $20 per hour with Title 1 and Title 2 funds. Title 1funding is based on the number of students receiving free lunches; Title 2 is federal professional development funds.
Ogden district also will offer two-hour after-school training sessions for teachers of K-2and grades three through six. The goal is to introduce math strategies that can be incorporated into the current math curriculum.
District officials are also asking teachers to pay attention to curriculum block data. Curriculum blocks are six-week assessments made to ensure students are on track. Teachers can then reteach as needed.
Parental involvement
There is a direct correlation between student achievement and parental involvement in schools, educators say. Therefore, parental involvement is being implemented into plans of both districts.
Ogden district intends to send parents letters with ideas for home math activities. This could be as simple as parents setting aside 15 minutes each night and telling their child to practice math facts.
Dayleen Smith, Ben Lomond High School PTA Council president, said parents are part of the teaching team.
"When parents are involved, the kids also know education is important," she said.
Carolyn Price, reading coach at Gramercy Elementary School, agrees, but said, "Many parents want to be involved, but they don't know how. We want to give them some tools."
Both Smith and Price were on Ogden district's team that offered input on the district's improvement plan.
Rich Moore, Ogden district federal programs director, said parents can ask their kids what they learned in school and what homework they have.
Parents can also provide a special quiet area in the house, with no distractions, so students can concentrate on their schoolwork, Moore said.
"Some parents take it to the next level and tutor their kids.
"Not all parents have the time or the skill level to do that, but if they encourage their children every night -- to turn off the TV, turn off the video games, no phone calls -- and even if they don't have homework, they can read a book," Moore said.
"That kind of structure at home does fabulous things for student achievement."
Weber district aims to provide materials and training for parents, as well. This can be done during a school fun night in which the parents make educational games to be used at home.
In Ogden district, a newsletter will keep parents informed on what their child will be learning in upcoming months.
All communication sent home is in English and Spanish.
Teachers are also being instructed to be responsive to phone calls from parents.
Ogden district plans to target its Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students.
Six bilingual part-time achievement-gap specialists, as well as two bilingual part-time home liaisons, are available for secondary schools. They can make phone calls to parents or make home visits.
They make $10 to $11 per hour, paid with Title 1 and Title 3programs funding. Title 3 is federal funding for alternative language services.
Socioeconomics
"Economic disadvantage is the greatest predictor of student success in school," Moore said. "Children of poverty do not have the same opportunities to develop literacy experiences prior to starting school."
If a child's only access to the outside world is TV, that is pretty limiting, he said.
Affluent children have access to books, and their families have opportunities to travel and develop knowledge that all plays into learning, Moore said.
"Our teachers see children come to school, and they have never seen nor held a book. Many students are developmentally delayed. They play catch-up for the first several years."
To combat its challenging socioeconomics, Ogden district receives a lot of grants and strives for highly trained teachers, he said. The district also offers after-school tutoring in targeted instruction.
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