The statement, Setting the Standard for Student Success, does more than serve as the Transition Mathematics Project’s (TMP) tag line, it helps keep the project’s focus where it belongs – squarely on students. As TMP heads into fall / winter, it does so with a solid set of draft College Readiness Standards vetted by an array of project partners and experts.
Project partners include math and non-math educators from the K-12, Community and Technical College and Baccalaureate systems. To date, project partners represent over 25 of Washington state’s colleges, universities and school districts. With the addition of community and business leaders, TMP is on pace to offer Washington state students a new winning math formula: clear knowledge and skill expectations plus up-to-date resources equal student success.
Based on a careful analysis of a variety of existing related documents, the Transition Mathematics Project's College Readiness Standards were drafted in the summer 2004 by a Development Team consisting of math experts from all three educational sectors in Washington: K-12, community and technical colleges, and baccalaureate institutions. This draft was then reviewed and refined by a larger team of K-16 math and non-math faculty and curriculum specialists along with representatives from business and industry. (For more details about the process, refer to the article A Method to the MATHness, found in this newsletter). This current working draft represents the culmination of their review work as of September 2004.
The new draft standards consist of three sections: a list of “Student Attributes;” a set of eight standards, each of which have several components; and “Additional Expectations for students pursuing calculus.” Because project staff are committed to supporting and extending the ongoing education reform work underway in Washington public schools, reviewers will see that by and large the structure of the eight standards parallels the structure and language of the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) in mathematics (for more information on this work, see http://www.k12.wa.us/ealrs/default.aspx). A hallmark of the new College Readiness Standards will be its rich array of example problems, which will address the level of performance of each standard. These problems are currently under development by our broad-based math teams. To review the most current version of the draft standards, visit http://www.transitionmathproject.org/standards.asp.
A modified Delphi method – a method of developing and improving group consensus – is part of an eclectic mix of techniques used by the Transition Mathematics Project to capture the rich feedback of project partners. The project’s framing question – What do students need to know and be able to achieve success in college-level math – was presented to math instructors with disciplinary expertise at a two-day think tank meeting in June, ’04. The June meeting was a watershed event for the project and its funders, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Washington Legislature, for it was here that the initial set of standards was forged.
From August 23-27, 2004 over 70 participants selected by the Transition Mathematics Project (TMP) made their way to the Eastern foothills of Washington's Cascade Mountains to attend a week-long retreat, drawing inspiration from the area’s scenic beauty and ambitious agenda. Further refinement of the draft College Readiness Standards in Math was one of the major themes that propelled this unique gathering of secondary and post-secondary math and non-math educators. Added to the mix were community partners, business representatives and national education leaders who contributed to the diversity of thought and input. Retreat planners designed activities to not only promote the refinement of the standards but also the development of practical “real world” applications. Attendees were encouraged to conceptualize, design and share regionally-based, cross-sector demonstration projects throughout the final two days of the 5-day meeting.
In addition to TMP’s think-tank sessions and retreats, three additional group process methods have been underway to help arrive at the most reliable consensus of feedback and opinions on the draft standards. Intensive writing sessions have provided select groups of cross-sector project partners the time and flexibility to consolidate and refine the draft standards. Periodically, as these updates are made, revised drafts are disseminated to all project partners for reactions and additional input. And throughout, Achieve, Inc. of the America Diploma Project, has provided targeted input on all aspects of the draft standards by drawing on their vast experience in science and math reform efforts.
As refinement and consensus building of the draft College Readiness Standards in Math continues throughout the fall, TMP staff will finalize the design of a mini-grant application process to ignite new and enhanced cross-sector, regional initiatives in math. Starting this November, applicants can propose innovative uses of the College Readiness Standards to improve and increase student success in math. These initiatives and projects, which can be funded up to $15,000, will greatly improve TMP's ability to collect data on and share effective uses of the new draft standards.
Paralleling the mini-grant process is the project’s
goal of identifying and chronicling the variety of existing math articulation
and achievement
projects underway around the state. A new Project Clearinghouse page
on the TMP Website has begun capturing a whole host of promising projects
and
initiatives
and
is arraying them in a user-friendly
format for all
to learn from. For information on applying for funds, becoming involved
with TMP or sharing your organization's promising math practices, visit
the TMP Website at www.transitionmathproject.org today!
The Transition Mathematics Project’s (TMP) Management team crisscrossed the state in September to share with counselors math remediation data and TMP updates. Over 1000 high school counselors participated as part of the Washington Council's Fall Counselor Workshop Series. Recognizing the critical role counselors play in supporting and guiding students through transitions, it's not surprising that TMP values their support and feedback. The TMP management team plans to continue its outreach efforts to student development staff from all sectors. Look for new staff and student math outreach initiatives coming this winter.
In an effort to reach out to stakeholders, project partners and constituents, the Transition Mathematics Project (TMP) has developed a number of options and methods to share project information and collect feedback on the new draft College Readiness Standards in Math. In November, a series of videoconferences and face-to-face forums are being scheduled with a mix of Washington state regions. Math and non-math educators from the CTC, baccalaureate and K-12 systems are encouraged to join in to share feedback and ideas. In addition, the TMP Website offers a feedback form for quickly and conveniently recording and sharing feedback with project staff. For additional information on reviewing and sharing feedback on the draft math standards, contact TMP Coordinator John House.
The Transition Mathematics Project (TMP) is excited to announce the dates of its second intensive Math Institute. Once again, the majestic Eastern foothills of Washington's Cascade Mountains will play host to math and non-math educators from around Washington. For three days beginning June 28 and concluding July 1, 2005, cross-sector, regional teams will demonstrate promising, innovative applications of the College Readiness Standards in Math. Leading national experts will be on hand to add to and help guide the rich discussions. Applications to attend will be available to regional and cross-sector teams just after the New Year. Check in with the TMP Website frequently for up-to-date information.