Transition Mathematics Project

Ask What's Happening In Your Child's Math Classroom

Parents
It's your right to be thoroughly informed, from the start, about the mathematics that your child is studying.

Here is a handy guide to prepare for your child's next parent/teacher conference.
How to Prepare:

• Consider forming a parent support group to discuss and clarify common concerns.
• Review your child's math homework and test scores.
• Ask your child what difficulties he or she faces in doing math. Make sure you know what they like as well as dislike.

What to Ask:

• What can I expect my son/daughter to learn in his/her math class this year?
• How does this curriculum support the College Readiness Standards and the Grade Level Expectations endorsed by Washington state?
• What student performance data are available?
• Will I need to be a "math whiz" to be able to help my child with homework?
• How does this math class help prepare my son/daughter for college-level mathematics?

More Ways to Help Your Child Succeed In School:
The Help for Parents section of this Math Lab will assist parents in observing how their child learns. With this insight, you may be better prepared to lead your child through the next steps on his/her own unique path to math success.

Students
Math counts for college and careers more than ever!

• Imagine you're in the middle of an important job interview and are suddenly asked why you didn't take more math.
  What will you say?
• How would it feel to be a successful math student in high school?
• What would it mean to begin your college career by qualifying for college-level math?
• How would it feel to stop avoiding math and meet it head on with new found enthusiasm?

If these questions interest you, read on…
Whenever we operate a computer, follow a recipe, buy a car or consider a college loan, we rely on math skills. We also live in a technologically-rich society, which has drastically increased the need for mathematical thinking and problem solving skills.

Everyone needs to be able to use mathematics in his or her personal life, in the workplace and in further education. Today’s high school students face greater expectations than ever before from the workplace and higher education. High school students need to have greater mathematical competence to solve problems creatively and resourcefully in all parts of life.

For examples of the creative and resourceful use of math, check out IMA (Institute for Mathematics and its Applications) Director Doug Arnold's recent student commencement address. And for some additional information on the role of math and the importance of planning, check out Mathematics: The Gatekeeper Classes, by Dr. Susan Quattrociocchi.

Math counts for careers
Advanced math is now essential to help all students thrive in a competitive world. Whether students dream of a career in architecture, law enforcement, music, technology or science, advanced math skills form a foundation for future opportunities, not to mention income earning potential. A majority of workers who earn more than $40,000 annually have two or more high school credits at the algebra 2 level or higher, according to the American Diploma Project.

Math counts for college

Too many students in high school try to avoid math. Unfortunately, this is what’s needed least. Math skills are required for every type of post-high school training and education. In fact, most colleges and universities expect students to have mastered certain math skills before ever enrolling in their first college class. According to the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS), 83 percent of students who took algebra and geometry went on to college.

Learn now - or pay later.

According to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, 50% of high school graduates who enter Washington’s two-year colleges directly after high school need to take pre-college math before they are ready for credit math courses. All students who enroll in any two-or four-year college are required to take a placement test to determine what level of reading, writing and math courses they are ready for. If you do not don't qualify for college-level courses, you will need to enroll in "pre-college" or remedial classes. And remember, students pay the same amount for pre-college classes - for no credit !

If you're interested in helping to pass the word on the importance of math, check out our Marketing Toolkit . The Toolkit is a collection of communication pieces designed for ease of use. Here you'll find a Why Math? flier, Got Math? brochure, talking points, handouts, content for a newsletter article and more. All information is copyright free.