Math Professional Development
New for 2009-2010 For Secondary School Math Departments
Strengthening Mathematics Instruction (SMI): Cognitive Complexity and Instructional Strategies
Purpose
To create a professional culture among teachers that supports the use of enhanced problems in daily instruction. In order to create sufficient support among colleagues to implement new instructional approaches, the workshop is available to entire math departments, math departments from two or more schools combined, or teams of at least 5 members from each of two or more departments (a minimum of 10 teachers is required for a training).
Overview
Sponsored and delivered by California State University Early Assessment Program and California County Superintendents of Education Services Association the SMI training was designed with modules that can be delivered in an all-day or half-day format or in shorter segments over time with teacher practice between sessions. The training consists of approximately 16-24 hours of professional development.
Materials and training are designed for teachers of Algebra 1 through Pre-Calculus. A bank of standards-based and curriculum-related problems will be provided for use in the classroom. Also included in the training will be a bank of sample lesson plans that highlights the instructional strategies and math content of the modules. Highlights of module contents:
- Presentation of a variety of strategies for teaching students how to solve complex problems
- Instruction on developing cognitively complex problems
- Looking at student misconceptions
- Teaching strategies to:
- Promote mathematical and numeric flexibility
- Incorporate alternative representations
- Help students extend known procedures and generalize patterns
- Support to improve student performance on CSTs, the EAP, SATs and ACTs, AP exams, and other tests as well as classroom instruction
More information To inquire about setting up a training contact Gabriela Nuño at GNuno@csustan.edu. You may also contact Tom Abram at TAbram@csustan.edu with questions regarding content.
Other Services Available
Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project
CSU/UC MDTP
Purpose
The MDTP tests are designed to measure student readiness for a broad range of mathematics courses. More importantly, the tests were developed to provide students and teachers with diagnostic information about student preparedness. This information can help students identify specific areas where additional study or review is needed. It can help teachers identify topics and skills that need more attention in courses. The MDTP tests are diagnostic, not comprehensive; they should not be used as final exams.
Services Available
Readiness Tests are available at the following levels:
- Prealgebra
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Second Year Algebra
- Mathematical Analysis
- Calculus
There are workshops and consulting available to help analyze and interpret test results.
MDTP regional offices provide scoring services and materials. MDTP offices respond to teacher requests throughout the year. Scoring is completed and results are sent within two days of receiving forms from the teacher. It may take longer to return results during peak scoring seasons.
More Information
You may visit the Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project web site (MDTP)