Public school board working to improve students' math skills by Bob Mitchell Special to the Beaver 3 | Thursday, November 28, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com New strategies are already under way in Halton public elementary schools to improve problem solving and overall math marks among students. But more funds are needed and trustees are expected to approve additional funding of $340,000 from surplus funds for the programs, which Halton education officials say will increase math excellence among elementary students and result in better marks from high school students. "There has been a decline in Grade 3 and Grade 6 math results, not a huge decline, but still, all in all, decline," Tricia Dyson, superintendent of education, told trustees at the Nov. 6 Halton District School Board (HDSB) meeting. Provincial data indicated one in five students doesn't meet the provincial standard in Grade 6 math despite having met the standard in Grade 3. Also, students taking applied math attain standards 40 per cent lower than students in academic math courses. Dyson said Halton's overall plan provides strategies for student remediation, board-wide student strategies and training for math teachers and principals. "They will increase student strength and flexibility in working with numbers, math facts, mental math strategies and enable students to develop more deeply critical thinking skills during problem solving," Dyson said. "The strategies that we are asking funds for, are ones that research shows have a very high affect on student achievement. We believe we have picked them wisely. We have based them on student needs and looked to those strategies that are most likely to cause a significant increase in student achievement." Funds will be used in a variety of areas, especially in improving the mental math (without using calculators or other devices) capabilities of all students and developing critical thinking problem-solving skills. Funding will also be used to ensure well-qualified math teachers are in Halton classrooms. "Many of the strategies are already underway," Dyson told board members. "We're already seeing significant changes in the way we are delivering math in our classrooms." By improving mental math strategies, Dyson said students would become more engaged and stimulated in the classroom. "We are seeing students becoming more confident in their ability and more engaged in problem solving," Dyson said. While trustees are encouraged the new math strategies will result in better math students from Grades 1 to 8, there remains concern about the continuing struggles demonstrated by some high school students. Vice Chair Kathryn Bateman-Olmstead expressed frustration some students in Grade 9 and 10 still don't know how to multiply in their heads. She said high school students need to be taught better in the classroom -- not during extra time after school or at lunch hour. "Those kids need to be taught in school hours how to do their primary math," Bateman-Olmstead said. But Dyson assured her and other trustees that education officials recognize this is an issue and their programs are intended to improve on this in the long run. "It's a driver in this plan," she said, indicating strategies involve ways of better teaching conceptual understanding so students become more successful in their mental math capabilities. Education Director Dave Euale told members senior officials are very much aware some students don't have the abilities they should have, which is why "math remediation" and "improved instruction" have been built into the improved math model for all students. "It's not enough to say to parents don't worry that your older son can't do it, but give us three years and your younger son will be much better in math," Euale said. "That's not a satisfactory answer. We have to do something for both." A Saturday math camp for students is also being planned for late this winter, Dyson said. WATCH US WOMEN SALE 40% OFF TRIBAL · CYC NALLY & MILLIE BLACK FRIDAY! SELECT JOSEPH RIBKOFF & FRANK LYMAN 40% OFF inside today's Spotlight Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 38 Health Classified 36 44 *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all home For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Speers Rd. It's a long and winding road. Navigate safely with Young Drivers®. NEW! Oakville North 180 Oak Park Blvd Suite 107 Dec 20, 21, 22, 23 or Dec 27, 28, 29, 30 or Jan 2, 3, 4, 5 Oakville 345 Lakeshore Rd. E. 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