Taking on the Challenge of Mathematics for ALL:
Strategies to Improve Mathematics Achievement for EVERY Child
By: Melisa Hancock, Teacher in Residence, Kansas State University, Kansas

The author of our feature article has taught mathematics for 16 years. Her experiences have included increasing math performance at a high poverty school from the lowest math scores in the district to the highest scores in the district within three years. She assists and coaches schools across her state in improving math performance. She bases her work on seven factors that research and best practice have revealed as essential in improving mathematics achievement for every child. The seven factors are:

1. The courage to acknowledge poor performance and the will to seek solutions.
2. Support of a system-wide approach to improving instruction.
3. Visions that focus on student learning and guided instructional improvement via high-quality curriculum.
4. Decisions based on data and not personal perceptions/preferences.
5. New approaches to professional development and mechanisms in place for assessment and professional development activities.
6. Redefining leadership roles in a stable, knowledgeable, and professional teaching community.
7. Commitment to sustaining reform over the long haul.

Click here to read her article which provides more detail on each of these factors and provides specific strategies that make these factors effective in improving math performance.

The author of our feature article, Melisa Hancock, shares recommended reading and websites that she has found effective in improving math performance for every student.

• Recommended Reading on Improving Math Performance
• Useful Websites to Support Improved Math Achievement

Success Stories: NCA Schools/Districts Improving Math Performance
Glendale Union High School District: Raising Math Scores through Project SHARP
(Summer High School Algebra Readiness Program)
By: Warren Jacobson and Ken Cameron, Glendale Union High School District, Glendale, AZ

Glendale Union High School District (GUHSD) in Glendale, Arizona, is comprised of nine high schools (grades 9-12). Two different elementary school districts (grades K-8) serve as the "feeder system" for the GUHSD. Project SHARP was designed as an intense, three-week summer math program to address the mathematical deficiencies of those students making the transition from middle school (eighth grade) to high school (ninth grade). It was created to increase the success rate for students in Algebra, their entry-level high school mathematics course. The district has studied the impact of the program during the past three years of implementation, and the results are impressive. The targeted students who participated in Project SHARP have a much higher success rate in high school algebra than targeted students who chose not to participate. Click here to read about the program and its documented success.

Elm Dale Elementary School: School-wide Problem Solving Formula Yields Results
By: Kelly Hansen, kindergarten and first grade looping teacher, and Marci Thompson, fourth grade teacher, Elm Dale Elementary School, Greenfield, WI

The staff at Elm Dale Elementary in Greenfield, Wisconsin, identified problem solving as a school-wide goal. They felt it was imperative that a common problem solving language be established to ensure continuity in instruction and practice. As a result, they established a school-wide problem solving formula used with all students at all grade levels. The results have been impressive. In 1997, 50% of the fourth graders scored in the advanced and proficient range. The scores from November 2004 show that 89% of the fourth graders are now in the advanced and proficient range. Click here to see the problem solving formula they are using and to learn more about their work.

NCA CASI, SACS CASI, and NSSE Partnership. In several communications we have shared with you our recent partnership with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) and the National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE). Known as the International Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (ICASI), the partnership represents 22,000 schools in 30 states and serves 15 million students. The partnership aims to enhance the three pillars of accreditation - high standards, quality assurance review, and continuous improvement - while providing a more unified and national voice for the profession on issues of educational quality.

Currently, the ICASI partner organizations are working together to establish shared, research-based accreditation standards and quality indicators aimed at helping schools and districts improve quality and enhance performance. In addition, the partnership is combining the best practices of NCA CASI and SACS CASI and the research base of NSSE to create a powerful Quality Assurance Review team chair certification program aimed at enhancing the quality of peer review. The intent is to launch the shared standards, protocol, and Quality Assurance Review teams in the 2007-08 school year.

The partnership, through NSSE, is producing school and district resources and tools that are aimed at maximizing system performance and student success. Breakthrough School Improvement™ https://www.nsse.org/store/index.cfm?pg=viewItem.cfm&id=66, a new suite of materials from NSSE, is an example of the types of resources that the partnership is making available to schools and districts to support continuous improvement. We will continue to keep you apprised of the work of the partnership and the enhanced benefits it will bring to you.

Addendum to October e-News Feature Article. In the last issue of the NCA e-news, the feature article outlined MI CLASS, a promising program for implementing literacy strategies in middle school classrooms. Information about the original development of the MI CLASS course and the training of professional developers may be obtained from Elaine Weber at Macomb Intermediate School District in Clinton Township, MI, eweber@misd.net.

You can Still Assist Schools Impacted by Katrina - Our sister accrediting organization in the South, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), has created a special portion of their website devoted to assisting Katrina-impacted schools. The website facilitates the matching of schools in need with schools that are able to provide needed resources. To view a list of schools in need and to post resources/supplies that you would like to donate, visit www.sacscasi.org. Thanks to the many NCA schools and districts that have made postings to the website.

NCA CASI's 111th Annual Meeting: Learning Matters
April 2-5, 2006 - Chicago Downtown Marriott, Chicago, IL
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Rick DuFour
Educator, Consultant
"How to Build Professional Learning Communities"

Dr. Ruby Payne
Founder and CEO, Aha! Process, Inc.
"A Framework for Understanding Poverty"

Join us for NCA CASI's 111th Annual Meeting "Learning Matters." Participate in the over 100 practitioner-led concurrent sessions. Sign up for one of several pre-conference sessions focused on topics related to improving student performance. In addition, each keynote speaker will be offering special in-depth sessions for interested conferees. For more information and to register, visit www.ncacasi.org/event/meeting.

State Workshops
NCA CASI offers national and state conferences and workshops on all aspects of school improvement. Contact your state office at 800-525-9517 to find out about the workshops nearest you.

Introduction to Systems Thinking
For Educators Interested in Pursuing District Accreditation
Producing great results in student performance requires high performing systems at every level of operation in a district. This introductory workshop is designed to help districts: 1) align improvement efforts throughout the district, 2) make sound decisions based on data, and 3) increase the efficiency of operations that lead to improved student performance. The workshop focuses on systems thinking, process management, and the capacities necessary to create high performing districts.

For more information and to register, visit: http://www.ncacasi.org/district.

About e-News
e-News is a bi-monthly newsletter of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). The mission of e-News is to provide you with up-to-date information to aid you in your ongoing efforts to continually improve student achievement. To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to Your Profile at the NCA CASI website.

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North Central Association
Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement
P.O. Box 871008
Tempe, AZ 85287-1008
800-525-9517
http://www.ncacasi.org

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