What follows is what has been happening in the math and social studies area These two subjects are the focus of this year's program revision study.

Math

Throughout the course of the year 2007-2008, teams of teachers have been meeting to review academic content standards to ensure alignment with Ohio Content Standards.  A Math Steering Committee was developed and has been meeting all year to reevaluate the  Everyday Math series and to look for a vertically aligned series in math for grades 6, 7 and 8.  Their goal is to recommend for adoption a textbook series for grades 6, 7 and 8 for the school year 2008-2009 and to unify the Everyday Math series in both elementary buildings to the upgraded 3^rd Edition. We will also purchase as part of the series a Home Links and Study Links book for each student in grades K – 6.  In addition to reviewing textbook series, new professional development for teacher in grades K – 2, and in grades 3 – 5 is taking place to assist teachers in best practices using the Everyday Math series.  At the high school level, the math department redesigned course selection alignment to ensure that all students will be ready to take the Algebra II Exit Exam that the state implemented as a graduation requirement for the Class of 2013.

 Social Studies

In Social Studies teams of teachers in all three buildings, Troy, Burton and BMS are looking at the complex problem of designing curriculum and adopting new textbooks that will ensure that all content standards are mastered before students are expected to take the grade appropriate Ohio Achievement Test in Social Studies.  A Social Studies consultant, Pat Clayton, worked with teachers to help them assess textbooks for close alignment to Ohio Content Standards.  She also taught teachers various strategies for helping students dissect standardized multiple choice questions and extended response questions to help improve test scores.  The teachers’ goal is to recommend a Social Studies textbook for adoption in 2008-2009 for grades 6 and 7.  New textbooks for the rest of the elementary grade levels will follow the next school year.

View Slideshow Math Curriculum Study Group (K-12) 

Next month’s Curriculum Update:  Technology Integration