Members of the Board Curriculum Committee: Chairperson Margaret Williams, Julie Venanzi, Joe Craig, William Nelson, Monty Perfetti and Richard Agretto met on Monday, March 6, 2000, at 6:10 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room of the Education Center. Also in attendance were Board members, Loretta Leeson and Charlene Koch. Superintendent Thomas J. Doluisio and Assistant Superintendent Michele Kostem were present.

There were no issues addressed during Open Forum.

Carol Leasure addressed those present regarding the elementary component of the new mathematics program. After researching and piloting several mathematics programs, it was decided to continue with the Addison Wesley program currently being used. In addition, the "Investigations" series would be used to enhance the Addison Wesley textbook along with long-term teacher inservice and training.

Ms. Leasure introduced Rene Rawhouser, who described the elementary math program by grade level. In grades one and two, the Addison Wesley textbook is used in conjunction with the "Investigations" units. In grades three through five, core assignments are added to the instructional program. NCTM Standards and PA Academic Standards are used as guidelines to cover the non-traditional, as well as traditional areas of instruction.

In response to a question from Joe Craig regarding the use of calculators, Mr. Rawhouser told those present that students must be competent in both hand calculations and the use of a calculator. As part of classroom work, children are instructed on what method to use for calculation. Children are also assessed in both methods of calculation.

Mrs. Leeson asked how much of the textbook is covered during the school year. She was told that the textbook is used as a basis for instruction, but adding the extras such as "Investigations" to the program, does not allow the entire book to be covered in one school year. She was assured that adding extras outside of the textbook does not take away from students learning the basic skills, but rather enhances the mathematics instruction. It actually involves teaching mathematics differently in order to achieve the Standards.

Mrs. Leeson also asked how the higher end students are addressed in the classroom. Several teachers responded to her question by giving examples of how these students are challenged with more advanced work units.

Julie Venanzi asked if software was available for use in the classroom. She was told that the "Investigations" unit has computer software beginning in grade one.

Joseph Santoro reviewed the "Connected Mathematics Program" that is used at the middle school level. The specific mathematical content and process goals are: number, geometry, measurement, algebra, statistics and probability. In each of the three grades at the middle school level, eight individual textbooks are covered per year. The "Connected Mathematics Program" is designed to meet all required standards in mathematics at the middle school level with five instructional themes: teaching for understanding, connections, mathematical investigations, representations and technology.

Mrs. Leeson asked how new students from other districts without any experience in this type of mathematics are initiated into the math program at the middle schools. Mr. Santoro responded that it is a struggle for these students, but that he feels it is an excellent program, and that everything is done to bring these students up to a respectable level. There is additional help available to these students if they need it.

Mrs. Leeson also asked how assessment occurs in this program. She was told that there are check-ups within each unit, with unit tests and unit projects. Mrs. Williams commented that it is crucial to have flexibility in the curriculum for kids not meeting the standards.

Charlene Koch asked if the mathematics program was consistent in all four middle schools. She was assured that it is.

Donald Harris, mathematics teacher at Freedom High School, gave a brief overview of the high school mathematics program, "Core Plus." He showed examples of the textbooks and presented a sample problem demonstrating how language arts can be incorporated into the mathematics classroom. All concepts in this program are standards aligned. He noted that this program was a unanimous decision by both high schools and the results are very positive.

A video showing a standards-based math class at Freedom High School was presented.

The meeting adjourned at 8: 20 p.m.

Minutes prepared by: ___________________________________

Lynda Ruth, Confidential Secretary