Middle School Math Instructional Tools Unveiled

By Diane McMillan
Associate Director

Two project of interest to Middle School educators were presented to the State Board of Education during the October meeting.

Data for Student Success is a grant project that includes both professional development and data inquiry tools that are designed to help build a culture of quality data in Michigan schools. The Calhoun ISD in partnership with Shiawassee and Macomb ISDs. Data for Student Success developed the project that is based on the following goals:

• Build professional model to help schools develop cultures of quality
• Identify critical question whose answers would benefit educators in decisions that inform instruction
• Provide tools designed around the critical questions
• Focus professional development activities on data-based decision making

Of particular interest to administrators may be the interactive data inquiry tools that allow users to drill down into MEAP data and even connect this data to local assessments.

Six inquires that are aligned to the MEAP and the GLCEs allow schools easily drill down into their own students’ MEAP data as well as aid in gathering comparative data to other students in the state. The six inquiries are:
• MEAP Proficiency
• Students Near Proficiency
• Comparative Data Analysis
• Cohort Proficiency
• Student History (Electronic CA60)
• Administrative Data Quality

For more information, visit the Data4ss website and watch the associated video from MI Streamnet.

Another project of interest is the Mathematics Program Improvement (MMPI) Led by MDE’s Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, MMPI focuses on mathematics instruction improvement for special education students in elementary and middle school. Mathematics Program Improvement (MMPI) provides professional support for both special and general education teachers of students with disabilities who are participating in the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test, grades 3-8.

The MMPI project provides district and school teams with instructional tools and strategies tied directly to the Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) that are designed to raise the achievement level in math for all students.

Some of the project materials at the MMPI website:
• Workshop activities
• Instructional sequences
• Diagnostic inventories
• Intervention lessons
• A model for instructional planning

These curriculum and assessment tools are designed for general and special education students.

Save the date: MASSP in conjunction with MASA and MDE will begin the conversation about the Mathematics instruction for all students with a Math Summit, March 5, 2008 at the MSU Kellogg Center. Registration materials will be available soon.