Southwest Washington math teachers to attend revised standards training
More than 600 area teachers are set to begin training on Washington’s revised math standards and content beginning this month.
Local school districts and ESD 112 are sponsoring two and four-day sessions this summer to provide Washington mathematics teachers grades K-8 with an understanding of the core ideas for each grade level. Thirty-one local educators were accepted to become facilitators for the new standards by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) after a rigorous application process.
“The new mathematics standards for Washington workshops will provide school districts with an opportunity for common professional development for all teachers,” said Sue Bluestein, ESD 112 mathematics coordinator. “The two-day Part I session gives K-8 teachers a chance to talk about the mathematics their students need to learn. While reviewing the standards, they will learn how each grade level builds foundational knowledge necessary for later grades. This provides a rare opportunity for vertical communication and dialogue around common terminology. This is regarded by professional development specialists as paramount to bringing about change to support student learning,” added Bluestein.
“The sessions for math teachers will be interactive, with cooperative learning integrated throughout,” said Lexie Domaradzki, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning at OSPI. “The mathematics standards training is not required, however, starting in the spring of 2010, math tests at all grade levels will assess whether students have learned the mathematics content contained in the new standards,” added Domaradzki.
ESD 112 region facilitators have already received training from OSPI to provide localized workshops to familiarize teachers with the new standards and in-depth training on mathematics content related to their grade levels. This new standards roll out is the first of its kind in the state. OSPI has made it their goal to try and reach every mathematics teacher in the state with information about the changes in math standards. These sessions allow teachers to not only learn about the mathematics required at their grade level, but the span of mathematics strands across grades K-8. Each grade level will be building a foundation for future mathematics study.
For more information on math standards training in the ESD 112 service region contact Karen Ball, ESD 112 mathematics coordinator secretary, at (360) 750-7500 ext. 344 or email at karen.ball@esd112.org.
See below for current training dates and locations: Part I (New Standards) and Part II (Mathematics Content) Scheduled Workshops.
Gorge
• White Salmon- June 17-18, Part I, 8:30-3:30, Henkle Middle School 509-493-1502, Contact: Rick George.
Cowlitz/Pacific
• Kalama- August 18-21, Part I and Part II, 8:30-3:30 Contact: Jeanne Klahn 360-673-5207.
• Kelso- Four day sessions- June 23-26 or August 18-21, Part I and Part II, 9:00-4:00, Kelso High School Library Contact: Kristin Phillips 360-501-1926.
• Longview- in district.
• Ocean Beach- August 27-28, Part I, 8:00-3:00, Contact: Bette Arne 360-665-4815.
• Woodland- September TBD.
Clark
• Battle Ground- in district, July 22-23, Part I, Time TBD, Contact: Judy Ritola 360-885-5264.
• Evergreen- in district.
• Vancouver- in district.
• Hockinson- August 27-28, Part I, Time TBD, Contact: TBD.
• Ridgefield- August 21-22, Part I, Time TBD, Contact: Kippi Barbouletos Union Ridge Elementary 360-750-7600.
• Washougal- August 20-21, Part I, Time 8:00-3:30, Contact: Cassi Marshal 360-954-3005.
• Camas- August 20-21, Part I, Time TBD, Contact: Kari Swanson 360-833-5413.
Public Information - June 9, 2008