Efforts to improve math skills continues

The winds of change continue to stir across the nation, in Washington state and locally in Walla Walla as math educators everywhere are working together to help students improve their skills and testing results.

The districts math leadership team of Assessment Director Ron Higgins, Math Director Chris Gardea and High School Math Coach Anne Swant reported to school board members last night there is a coordinated effort in our district to think of math systemwide.

Higgins said there are significant changes coming at the state level regarding math as the State Board of Education has authorized a review and rewrite of the standards. Higgins said this document is due January 31 and is expected to have substantial changes. Higgins believes the modifications to the state math standards will ultimately be reflected in the math portion of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). He said the WASL is the measurement to determine if students have mastered the standards, therefore, changes to the math WASL will be needed. He said changes to the WASL could come as early as Spring 2009.

Swant is working closely with staff at Walla Walla High School and Lincoln Alternative High School. She said there is a growing achievement gap in Walla Walla. She said math educators here are studying strategies to help second language students improve their skills. Gardea said the elementary focus is to take "Investigations" to completion and improve teaching strategies.