Math Curriculum Review Highlights Need for Alignment
Recommendations from math curriculum review that has been ongoing for the last year were presented at School Committee.
Dr. Kateri Thunder joined the School Committee at last night's meeting to present her recommendations for the future of math education in Burlington according to her math curriculum review for Burlington Public Schools. For the last year and in conjunction with Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Lisa Chen, Dr. Thunder has been reviewing all aspects of math instruction, including viewing curriculum, observing implementation and interactions between teachers and students, talking with some stakeholders, and more.
The observations and recommendations were thorough and addressed three key areas of staff roles & responsibilities, curricular alignment, and structures & systems.
The district needs a PreK-12 math coordinator, according to Dr. Thunder's analysis, but can start with the most immediate need of a K-8 coordinator. This will address inconsistencies in instruction from school to school and grade to grade and enhance alignment so students can be prepared for success in high school and beyond. Along with that, says Thunder, the roles and responsibilities of interventionists and specialists should be more clearly defined and students at all levels should have equitable access to math tutoring.
With respect to instruction, says Thunder's report, students would benefit from more clearly defined course pathways to ensure all students have access to complete Algebra 1 and geometry by the time they must take MCAS (and, as the law currently stands, pass it in order to earn a high school diploma) in 10th grade. The district should also define the highest level of math learning, whether that is calculus or data science, and plan the PreK-12 curriculum with that end in mind, aligning instruction so the key standards to reach those milestones are defined and can be mastered at each grade level.
Thunder recommends the district also look at helping teachers enhance efficacy with more time spent on Tier 1 instruction (the broadest level of support, often thought of as the general education context) less—and more targeted—time spent on assessments. A recommitment to, and streamlining of, the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (the way students with different needs are supported throughout the school day) is needed as well, says Dr. Thunder.
Communication about these recommendations and how the district plans to implement them will be key, say Dr. Thunder and Superintendent Dr. Eric Conti, specifically referring to ensuring teachers receive the key messages that (a) any changes won't be happening overnight and (b) these recommendations and their implementation don't suggest teaching methods need to change - simply that alignment will be tightened and energy will be refocused on ensuring all kids have what they need and receive the opportunity to reach high levels of achievement in mathematics.
The final recommendation form Dr. Thunder was to ensure that, as Dr. Conti often says, "This work is ongoing." She recommends establishing and adhering to a progress monitoring plan to ensure the district is meeting its commitment to students vis-a-vis this math curriculum review, using student performance data to support its actions.
Also at School Committee:
- School Committee Member and Chair of the Athletic Fields Subcommittee, Jeremy Brooks, along with Operations Director, Bob Cunha, are seeking members to join them in planning for the future of athletic fields in Burlington. "This project is intended for the enjoyment of the entire community once it is completed," says Brooks, and he wants to make sure a cross-section of the community is represented. If you're interested, please email your interest from June 25 to July 2, 2024, to Jeremy Brooks or Bob Cunha, including a brief description of your skills and why you want to join us.
- New Marshall Simonds Middle School principal, Tim McMahon, was introduced to the School Committee. (0:04:00)
- Two stipends were approved—one for the Used Bookstore and one for a Fashion Club at the high school. (1:09:40)
- The superintendent evaluation was summarized. For the most part, the feedback was positive, though comments from some School Committee members expressed a desire for more staff buy-in and said at times it doesn't appear teachers are held accountable for their behavior, and they'd like to see more proactivity with respect to both responding to student needs and planning for infrastructure needs. (1:12:00)
