Transcript HDSB #14055 Math Acceleration Pilot

Math Acceleration Pilot
All students in the self-contained gifted classes at Charles R.
Beaudoin, Gardiner, W.H. Morden and Sam Sherratt were
assessed for possible inclusion in this pilot.
A total of 36 students were selected for the online accelerated
learning experience.
These 36 students completed their Grade 8 Math program in
semester one (September 2013 – January 2014) and began
the online Grade 9 Academic Math course in February 2014.
Math Acceleration Pilot
Our Students
“I like the pace and the independence”
“I would rather go too fast than too
slow”
“The online environment was
challenging”
Our Students
“This is not for every student”
“You have to have great time
management, stress tolerance,
flexibility, focus and self-discipline”
Our Students
“The presence of my teacher is 15
times better than watching a Youtube video”
Our Students
“Even though I will complete Grade
8 and 9 Math in one year, I worry
that it has gone in one ear and out
the other”
Parents
“The Grade 9 online course is a positive
challenge for my child.”
“I appreciate the pace that the Grade 8 and 9
programs offers”
“The experience has helped my child apply and
develop further organization and independent
work skills”
Parents
“For students who it suits, it’s
excellent”.
“I hope they have mastered the
concepts to be ready for Grade 10
Math”
Parents
“Having a small peer group to work
through the program was crucial
and necessary for my child’s
success in the program.”
Staff
“The assessment process proved to be effective
as it resulted in the selection of students who
demonstrated strong math skills and learning
skills necessary to succeed in an independent
online learning environment.”
“The pace of learning in the Grade 8 and the
Grade 9 online experience was seen as offering
challenge for the selected students.”
Staff
“The online experience was a tool
for learning – not an enrichment
program.”
Staff
“Gifted students require opportunities for critical
thinking challenges, peer discussion and debate as
well as opportunities to apply, analyze, synthesize
and evaluate their ideas and the ideas of others. “
“The Grade 8 compacted program and the Grade
9 online program offer limited opportunities to
meet these needs.”
Summary
Students in this pilot and their parents saw the pace of
the Grade 8 and 9 Math programs as engaging and
challenging.
Given the achievement and attitude of most of the
selected students, it would appear that the criteria
used for the selection of students was appropriate.
Summary
Staff saw that the elements of critical thinking and opportunities
to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate ideas of others missing
from this learning experience. These items are an integral part
of gifted education in Halton.
The assessment process was extremely labour intensive for a
variety of HDSB staff. (School Programs and Student Services
staff, classroom teachers, school administrators, System Principal
for School Programs)
The cost of $46,000.00 for 36 students does not qualify for a
secondary student grant. The two sections to staff the Grade 9
online course were taken from HDSB secondary staffing
allocation.
Conclusion
This opportunity should continue to be considered for students in the selfcontained intermediate gifted placement, assessed by parents and staff as
having the appropriate ability and learning skills for subject acceleration, to
work beyond grade level in mathematics.
Expansion of this math acceleration pilot outside of the self-contained gifted
classes is not feasible for reasons reviewed in this report.
Other strategies for enrichment could be considered for students on a caseby-case basis through School Resource Team consultation.
A re-examination of the Grade 7 and 8 mathematics program should occur to
ensure that we provide a challenging and engaging mathematics program for
HDSB intermediate students, particularly those with exceptional math skills.