PROBLEM OF PRACTICE
We examined a problem of practice project during the second year of the program. As a part of this project, I created a poster and an Ignite presentation. Fellows are tasked with examining a Problem of Practice to explore and develop an intervention program for at our residency site. Fellows may have discovered this Problem of Practice upon conducting observations and through review of the school's outcome data. My problem of practice addressed the issue of equitable placement and support of students into advanced math throughout the middle school years, and most significantly, placement into Math 1 by 8th grade.
A brief presentation of the problem of practice at Moore Square Magnet Middle School is provided below:
A brief presentation of the problem of practice at Moore Square Magnet Middle School is provided below:
Background on Problem of Practice
My Problem of Practice focused on ensuring that all students at Moore Square are knowledgeable of and active participants in our advanced math model from 6th through 8th grade. Our advanced math model provides opportunities for students to enroll in an accelerated math class during each year, beginning with Math 6 Plus in 6th grade. The Problem of Practice encompassed a comprehensive data review of students who started middle school in advanced math and our administrative noticed a decrease for students of color entering Math 1 during 8th grade. Our administrative team developed an analysis tool comprised of data to determine student enrollment into Math 1 with and without an intervention support course. Additionally, the administrative team developed communication strategies to parents to inform them of the advanced math model to ensure we have full involvement from families in their students' academic decisions. The action steps of my Problem of Practice included: our 7th grade math teachers creating a screencast video informing parents of our math model, sharing a Google survey with families to obtain their input on the math class their student will take in 8th grade, and a virtual conference with families to clarify any questions they had about the math model. Students who may require more intervention support in Math 1, will have the opportunity to enroll in Math 1 and a Math 1 intervention support class to provide opportunities for them to receive differentiated instruction. We also collaborated with our counseling department to amend the master schedule for the 2020-2021 school year and create sections of Math 6 Plus, Math 7 Plus intervention support classes, which had not previously been offered for students. This comprehensive program has the intent to mitigate any barriers for Moore Square students to enroll in Math 1 by 8th grade.
Math Model Screencast Video
Our 7th grade math teachers created a video that provides an overview of the Math Model at Moore Square Magnet Middle School. For students who reside in a household where English is not the primary language spoken, our 7th grade math teachers created a screencast video translated into Spanish of the model.
Form for Parents to Submit Math Class
Upon watching the screencast video of the math options at Moore Square, parents of rising 8th grade students could submit their 8th grade math selection into this form. This form is available in both English and Spanish.