The No Child Left Behind Act is the reason behind the overhaul.
BETHEL – Telstar Middle and High School Principal Shawn Lambert told directors Monday there needs to be strong changes in the math program. The reason: Maine Learning Results and Federal No Child Left Behind act requirements.
According to Lambert, a review of the data from recent testing shows that students at the schools consistently score poorly in the mathematics sections of standardized tests.
He also added that many Telstar graduates have been required to take math remediation courses at post-secondary schools.
“It is evident that our current mathematics program is not meeting the needs of our students,” said Lambert. “There are several problems with our current implementation of the core-plus program. Among these problems is a lack of professional development for teachers of the program, community confusion and lack of acceptance of the program, and a shortage of instructional time and resources. Remedying this situation will require addressing all three problems.”
He then outlined a proposal for making changes to the program he feels will strengthen it. The changes outlined included:
• Elimination of the core-plus program and incorporating it with the traditional track.
• Development of an integrated math track for students who need less traditional and a more hands-on approach.
• Elimination of Algebra 3 and instituting advanced math.
• Adding more instructional time for all math classes.
• Increasing a half-time teacher to full time.
• Requiring students to follow one of three paths at the high school level, which will involve eighth-grade math, algebra 1 and 2, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus or advanced math. The path would be determined by the needs of each student.
• Developing a summer program for math enrichment courses at no charge.
• Requiring MEAs to be taken in order to graduate.
• Continuing an SAT preparation course in the fall and spring to help students prepare for the math and verbal sections of the exams.
The aim is to institute the changes for the 2004-05 school year.
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