Mathematics Vertical Teams

Action Plan: Tara High School

1.  What does our Mathematics Vertical Team want to accomplish?

  1. For students in our school?

·  We would like our students to gain a better understanding of the world of Mathematics and be prepared enough to pass the AP Calculus Exam.

·  In addition, we want to see an increase in the students ACT score.

  1. For other mathematics teachers in our school?

·  We would like the teachers to have a heightened awareness of what is required to successfully complete the AP Calculus Course.

·  We would like to minimize the amount of time spent reteaching prerequisite knowledge.

·  We would like the teachers to understand their importance in promoting four years of high school mathematics.

  1. For ourselves?

·  We would like to increase our effectiveness as teachers in the AP program.

2.  What are the major issues that we, as a Mathematics Vertical Team will address?

·  Establishing a pre- and post-test system to measure content knowledge.

·  Increase the communication between the guidance department and the math teachers.

3.  THREE specific goals for our Vertical Team this year are:

·  At least 25% passing the AP Calculus Exam.

·  Increased enrollment into the AP Calculus class.

·  Overall improvement of GEE test performance.

4.  What specific plans do we have for accomplishing each of the goals listed above?

·  DRILL THEM EVERYDAY – Required to watch Stand and Deliver

·  Coordinated efforts with the guidance department to allow more students to be able to double up in Geometry and Algebra II to enable them to enroll in Calculus.

·  Through the Mathlab students will be able to receive one-on-one tutoring to improve their skills

5.  How will we measure our degree of success in attaining each of these goals?

·  Look at the scores

·  Look at the numbers

·  Look at the scores

6.  How often will our Mathematics Vertical Team meet?

·  We will meet every third Wednesday of the month following the faculty meeting.

·  Other meetings will be scheduled if needed.

7.  When and where are we going to meet?

·  We will meet in Mr. Woods’ classroom.

8.  How long will each meeting be?

·  The meetings will be approximately an hour long.

9.  How are we going to use the MVT Toolkit in our meeting?

·  It will be used as a resource guide in establishing our regular order of operations within the MVT.

10.  How are we going to keep a record of our activities and accomplishments?

·  Photos, video, pre- and post-test scores, class enrollment, ACT test scores, and AP test scores will be maintained in a binder.

11.  Who is going to be responsible for maintaining and distributing the team records/accomplishments to team members?

·  Mr. Woods will be in charge of maintaining the records for our team and another teacher will help in the distribution of any materials to encourage active participation.

12.  How will we introduce the concept of Mathematics Vertical Teams to the other mathematics teachers in our school?

·  We will ask the administrators to actively publicize the program in teacher meetings, recruitment trips to the middle schools and in their own staff meetings.

13.  What kind of administrative support will we request?

·  We will ask for the schedule to be setup to help facilitate the correlation between math and some of the other subjects…i.e. physics.

·  This special arrangement in the schedule will also help us to setup the Mathlab in the same classroom at the same hour each day to encourage participation.

·  We will ask the administrators to actively publicize the program in teacher meetings, recruitment trips to the middle schools and in their own staff meetings.

·  As students gain accomplishments in the program, we will ask that they be recognized over the intercom during the morning announcements.