Algebra I Success Initiative

Items 3, 4, 6 and 7 can be initiated.  Simple after-school classes focused on the skill benchmarks suggested by the NMAP report will prove highly beneficial.  Sixth grade must be worked with extensively this school year - now.   Items 5, 8 and 9 can be combined.  They will take time.  The www.usfirst.org is just one way to make this happen.

from http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/re/ht/algebrainitiative.asp

1. Increase instructional time for middle grades so all sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students receive sufficient mathematics, pre-algebra, and algebra instruction and support. Cost: $1.5 billion in General Fund for local support.
   
2. Expand the Morgan-Hart Class Size Reduction Program to include pre-algebra and Algebra I in seventh and eighth grades. Cost: $492 million in General Fund for local support, $369 million in General Fund for school facilities and $305,000 in General Fund for state operations.
   
3. Provide funding for districts to establish and operate "Boost Classes" in elementary, middle, and junior high schools, for no more than 15 students per class identified by a student success team as needing specialized curriculum, instruction, and counseling to address the new algebra requirement. Cost: $175 million in General Fund local support and $185,000 in General Fund for state operations.
   
4. Expand school counseling services in grades four through eight to identify and provide services for students not adequately prepared to take Algebra I in eighth grade. Cost: $40 million in General Fund for local support and $185,000 in General Fund for state operations.
   
5. Expand Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs in grades four through eight. STEM programs increase student engagement and motivation by providing relevant and rigorous instruction that gives students a clear understanding of how academic subjects can be applied to real-world situations. Cost: $25 million in General Fund for local support and $320,000 in General Fund for state operations.
   
6. Expand the after school programs funded by Proposition 49, including weekend algebra tutorial support programs with an option for online and toll-free services. The expansion would include stipends for highly qualified teachers for supplemental mathematics activities for seventh- and eighth-grade students. Cost: $36.3 million in General Fund for local support.
   
7. Expand effective Algebra Summer Bridge programs that provide instruction for students in grades four through eight and professional development for elementary and middle school math teachers. This program targets student needs and builds teacher capacity. Cost: $10 million in General Fund for local support.
   
8. Expand Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), a college preparatory program targeted primarily at disadvantaged students, to improve student success in Algebra I. Cost: $5.8 million in General Fund for local support.
   
9. Expand the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Program at the University of California (UC). Cost: $5 million in General Fund for local support.
   
10. Provide increased support for migrant students assessed in Algebra I. Cost: $135,000 in General Fund for state operations.
    
11. Require the California State University (CSU) and UC systems to expand through the federal work-study program the availability of trained classroom tutors for both elementary and middle schools. Cost: unknown.
    

Other Considerations for the Math Committee

A focus on pacing plans and California standards benchmark testing may not be the most fruitful activities to undertake at this time.  However, getting courses that use HOLT texts to use standard tests in DataDirector may be best for our long term learning on obtaining and using more rapid feedback.  Expanding to other courses can be done afterwards.  Holt is the Pre-Algebra text.  Getting this going this year would be smart.