Math Education Summit
Outcomes & Recommendations
The Tri-Educational Math Summit for Jackson County was held August 19 –21, 2009 and had great success. The short-term goal of the math summit is to reduce the need for remedial education in post-secondary by 5% in 2010. Educators at all levels, 8th—post secondary learned from each other and some priorities were set as to their instructional goals as well as initiatives they would like to see occurring in the county. This document provides a summary of the outcomes and priorities set by more than 60 educators in attendance.
- Each educator in attendance set a short– and long-term goal for improving instructional practices in their own classroom. Their goals along with their contact information was compiled and they are excited to begin collaboration with their work.
- In addition, five priorities were set for larger initiatives that will require the time and commitment of a group of educators. These priorities are listed below.
Parent Education
This group explored possibilities, such as joining up with already-established county activities, to get the word out to parents about the relevance of math as well as tips for math enrichment that parents could be doing with their children. A similar group in the county has been contacted to request that their efforts are combined, or do not overlap.
Math Lab Support
The leaders of this group along with those from the early remediation group agreed that they are looking at similar things. The difference here would be more technology and that math labs would more likely occur in upper grades or at the post-secondary level.
Community Speaker Database
Business owner and entrepreneur, Dale Moretz, spoke on Friday morning and his insights into the use of mathematics was enlightening. Educators see this as a great opportunity to tap into some accomplished community members who can convey to students the application of mathematics in their field.
Elementary Math Specialists
Proponents of this initiative realize the importance of helping students at a very young age to develop algebraic thinking. Math specialists in the elementary could work similarly to literacy coaches or be assigned as a co teacher during math.
Early Remediation of Math Skills
Educators who discussed this goal were interested in seeing early remediation of skills. Ideally, this would consist of a flexible system for allowing students in and out of remediation as assessed on a regular basis, and could occur at any grade level.
Math Education Summit III to be held at Spring Arbor University, August 17 – 18.
