565 NW Holly Street, Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 837-7000
Learning locally, competing globally
 

High school math adoption

Skip to UPDATES

 

2009-10 school year

The Washington State Board of Education approved new math standards last year, and high-school students will be held accountable for demonstrating mastery of the new standards through end-of-course assessments (mandated by the state as a graduation requirement) beginning in 2011. A team of District math teachers began meeting as soon as the state completed its work and determined that our decade-old geometry and algebra I and II materials—which were already due for a new adoption—would need significant alteration/support to align with the new standards. In light of the urgency of the end-of-course assessments, the District decided to begin the adoption process immediately and formed a team with math teachers from each high school to review materials (as is the standard process in all adoptions). After much field testing, research, and vigorous conversation, the team unanimously recommended Key Curriculum Press' Discovering Mathematics geometry and algebra series in May 2009.

As the 2008-09 school year came to an end, it became apparent to Superintendent Rasmussen that the best option was to extend the adoption process into the 2009-10 school year for two reasons. First, he was hopeful that the state might be able to provide some clarity around math and its recommended materials; second, he understood that further conversation was needed with the community to reach better understanding both about this particular curriculum recommendation and math instruction in general in the Issaquah School District.

Towards these ends, the District formulated a plan with various learning/input opportunities:

  • A math-experience survey distributed to all secondary parents at curriculum night and secondary students in their math classes.
  • An invitation to officials from the state's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to attend a school-board meeting to provide background information about how and why the state undertook a math curriculum selection process and what that means for local districts.
  • A meeting with key communicators to solicit feedback on the outreach plan and to answer their questions and concerns.
  • A community math conversation night at each comprehensive high school, with the goals of: explaining the rationale for the committee's recommendation; allowing parents to test-drive the recommended curriculum; sharing the results of the math-experience surveys; and gathering input on needed family support for math.
  • Frequent updates to the School Board about the process during public meetings.

What's next?

The Issaquah School Board adopted the Discovering algebra and geometry materials in March. The District is now creating an implementation and training plan for teachers.

UPDATES

3.24.10
By a vote of four to one, the Issaquah School Board adopted the Discovering algebra and geometry materials. Public comments and the Board’s discussion are available on the podcast archive page (podcasts available mid-day the day following the meeting).

3.15.10
The Superintendent on March 10 officially presented his recommendation to adopt Discovering to the Issaquah School Board, which is expected to take action at its March 24 business meeting. To hear the Superintendent's recommendation and public comments, listen to the Board podcast. A request was made at the meeting for math achievement data including information about surrounding districts using the Discovering curriculum, and that is now available online.

2.25.10
Last night, Superintendent Rasmussen explained to the School Board his rationale for recommending the Discovering Mathematics curriculum for final approval. Next, District staff will formally present the textbooks to the Board for adoption on March 10. The Board is expected to take action on that proposal at its March 24 meeting. Because community members may still have questions about this adoption in light of the state Superintendent of Public Instruction's curriculum recommendation as well as a recent lawsuit in Seattle, Dr. Rasmussen has written a letter that outlines why he believes Discovering is the right choice for Issaquah students.

2.11.10
After considering the Adoption Committee's presentation, reviewing the texts, and further discussion and questioning, the Instructional Materials Committee recommended that the superintendent forward the Discovering Mathematics curriculum to the School Board for final approval.

The Discovering Mathematics materials will be on public display during business hours in the lobby of the Administration Building beginning Friday February 12, 2010 until the Board acts on the adoption. Staff will be available on February 24 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and on March 1 from 10 a.m. to noon. Please note: During second winter break, the lobby will be open Tuesday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1.28.10
The Teacher Adoption Committee formally presented their process, findings, and recommendation to the Instructional Materials Committee.

1.27.10
Adoption Committee reconvened.  The Teacher Adoption Committee reconvened on January 13 to review the information collected the first half of this school year. That information included the survey data and feedback gathered at our Community Math Nights. After reviewing the gathered information, and in the absence of any changes at the state level around high school mathematics materials, the adoption committee unanimously recommended to continue forward with the Discovering Mathematics recommendation and move it on to the Instructional Materials Committee.

Educational Planning Committee concurred.  In light of the Adoption Committee’s recommendation, the District Educational Planning Committee, consisting of the Associate Superintendent, the Executive Directors of Elementary, Middle and High School Education, the Executive Director of Special Services, the Director of Instructional Support, and the Director of Assessment, advised the Superintendent to forward the Discovering Mathematics textbook recommendation on to the Instructional Materials Committee for review.

Superintendent's approval and directive to move forward.  On January 27th, the Superintendent expressed his confidence that the High School Mathematics Committee had completed a thorough and thoughtful process in making their selection. He directed the IMC to proceed with the next steps in the Instructional Materials Committee review process.

Instructional Materials Committee Process.  The Instructional Materials Committee is required to fulfill two RCWs related to instructional materials: RCW 28A.320.230 (instructional materials), and RCW 28A. 640 020 (elimination of discrimination). The committee is composed of teacher representatives and community members. It is chaired by a non-voting Superintendent’s appointee.

The committee has two major tasks:

  1. To review and recommend materials based on:
    1. The District’s goals
    2. The District’s philosophy of selection of instructional materials
    3. Current practices for evaluation of materials for sex and ethnic bias and community standards
  2. To use the District’s procedures for reviewing and declaring materials obsolete or surplus.

Timeline for High School Math.

January 28, 2010 IMC Presentation, 4:15 p.m., Board Room, Administration Building.
  Adoption committee formally presents their process, findings, and recommendation to IMC.
  After the presentation, and before the next meetings, committee members read and respond to the text under consideration.
February 11, 2010 IMC discussion and vote
  If recommended, materials go on public display at the administration building (2 weeks required)
March, 2010 School Board action on IMC recommendation
  If approved by IMC, materials go before the school board for final approval.

12.2.09
Thank you to the more than 50 people who attended the three Math Conversation Nights at our high schools in October and November. The nights provided an opportunity for teachers to share an overview of last school year's adoption process and also showcase the recommended materials and parent resources. Parents and community members gave feedback and information for the district to consider about high school-mathematics and math in general. At the events, we shared the results from almost 10,000 surveys that secondary parents filled out during curriculum night and secondary students filled out in math classes. We also showed audience members the response from the state Superintendent of Public Instruction to our invitation to come clarify his math-curriculum recommendation. We are now in the process of analyzing all of the community feedback we received, which will help inform our decision about whether to forward on the curriculum recommendation and how to best shape any associated implementation and training processes. We will update the Board during the December 9 business meeting. The adoption committee will reconvene in late winter or early spring to evaluate any movement at the state level and their current curriculum recommendation in light of the community engagement process.

10.13.09
All parents who were not able to fill out a math-experience survey at curriculum night can obtain a copy at their school's main office. Please return completed surveys to the office by Friday, Oct. 23.

A community math conversation is coming to a high school near you! District officials and math teachers invite you to come learn about the rationale for the Key Curriculum Press recommendation; test-drive the materials; hear the results of the District-wide math-experience surveys; and provide feedback about the supports your student needs to be successful in math. The math conversation nights are:

Questions? Input?

Resources

About this website • Report a problem • The Issaquah School District provides equal opportunity in its programs, activities, and employment.