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Changes proposed to RHS math curriculum
Riverton High School assistant principal Mike Gum, a former math teacher at the school, has proposed some changes to the math curriculum.
He presented his proposal to the school board during the December meeting.
All of the teachers have bachelor’s degrees in math and none have master’s in math, though at least two have master’s degrees in teaching and leadership, according to
Gum. Two other teachers are in the process of master’s degrees, although these are not necessarily related to math.
Currently, the following teachers are teaching these courses:
Kari Hires teaches seventh grade math; Mike Roscetti teaches eighth grade math and eighth grade Algebra I. At the high school, Lisa Campbell teaches mostly juniors —
Algebra II and Core 3; Cara Gatchel teaches mostly sophomores — Geometry and Core 2; Erin Wade teaches a mix — Algebra I, Core 1 and Statistics; Katie Stadt teaches a
mix — Core 1, pre-calculus and AP Calculus AB; Kristie Kepler teaches mostly freshmen — Algebra I and Core 1.
In response to questions, Gum stated the eighth grade Algebra I class is not broadening; it has been offered in past years only to students who are recommended by the
seventh grade math teacher, and that will continue to be the case. The General Math class for eighth grade students is being replaced by pre-Algebra.
He also said most students in the district will fall into those classes on the left-hand side of the sequence.
“We aren’t planning on offering separate sections of support classes for Algebra II or Statistics, though our math teachers are very good about taking time before and after
school to help students,” Gum said. “I have observed each math teacher’s classes this year and have hit each course, but not necessarily each section of each course.”
Gum has also been helping students when possible.
One of the many changes at the high school will be the deletion of core classes (it was noted that our high school’s college-bound students who were allowed to take core
classes had difficulty transitioning, or had to take math placement testing), and the Contemporary Mathematics in Context textbooks will no longer be used.
Also, the need for a sophomore-level support class in geometry will be assessed. A technical mathematics class will be offered to students who are not likely to attend
college.
A class entitled “Math Support Class I” is proposed, the rationale based on review of past students’ test scores and aptitude. It is anticipated that half of freshman students will
need this class, and it will address skill deficiencies and allow students more practice and review.
The rationale for these changes also states that during their junior year, all students are held to the same standards, therefore students need to have access to the same
curriculum in order to develop the opportunity to be successful on the ACT exam.
Gum said he began reviewing the math curriculum during the previous academic year, and he has looked at different schools’ programs, mentioning Urbana specifically.
The “No Child Left Behind” act drives this type of curriculum change as well, he said. The ACT average results in 2008 for RHS in math was 19.6, which is less, for example,
than Williamsville (21.3) or Pleasant Plains (21.5). Urbana’s was 20.7.
Mr. Gum is happy to answer questions about the proposal; to contact him, or for a look at the entire proposal, e-mail him at mgum@rivertonschools.org.
Riverton High School assistant principal Mike Gum, a former math teacher at the school, has proposed some changes to the math curriculum.
He presented his proposal to the school board during the December meeting.
All of the teachers have bachelor’s degrees in math and none have master’s in math, though at least two have master’s degrees in teaching and leadership, according to
Gum. Two other teachers are in the process of master’s degrees, although these are not necessarily related to math.
Currently, the following teachers are teaching these courses:
Kari Hires teaches seventh grade math; Mike Roscetti teaches eighth grade math and eighth grade Algebra I. At the high school, Lisa Campbell teaches mostly juniors —
Algebra II and Core 3; Cara Gatchel teaches mostly sophomores — Geometry and Core 2; Erin Wade teaches a mix — Algebra I, Core 1 and Statistics; Katie Stadt teaches a
mix — Core 1, pre-calculus and AP Calculus AB; Kristie Kepler teaches mostly freshmen — Algebra I and Core 1.
In response to questions, Gum stated the eighth grade Algebra I class is not broadening; it has been offered in past years only to students who are recommended by the
seventh grade math teacher, and that will continue to be the case. The General Math class for eighth grade students is being replaced by pre-Algebra.
He also said most students in the district will fall into those classes on the left-hand side of the sequence.
“We aren’t planning on offering separate sections of support classes for Algebra II or Statistics, though our math teachers are very good about taking time before and after
school to help students,” Gum said. “I have observed each math teacher’s classes this year and have hit each course, but not necessarily each section of each course.”
Gum has also been helping students when possible.
One of the many changes at the high school will be the deletion of core classes (it was noted that our high school’s college-bound students who were allowed to take core
classes had difficulty transitioning, or had to take math placement testing), and the Contemporary Mathematics in Context textbooks will no longer be used.
Also, the need for a sophomore-level support class in geometry will be assessed. A technical mathematics class will be offered to students who are not likely to attend
college.
A class entitled “Math Support Class I” is proposed, the rationale based on review of past students’ test scores and aptitude. It is anticipated that half of freshman students will
need this class, and it will address skill deficiencies and allow students more practice and review.
The rationale for these changes also states that during their junior year, all students are held to the same standards, therefore students need to have access to the same
curriculum in order to develop the opportunity to be successful on the ACT exam.
Gum said he began reviewing the math curriculum during the previous academic year, and he has looked at different schools’ programs, mentioning Urbana specifically.
The “No Child Left Behind” act drives this type of curriculum change as well, he said. The ACT average results in 2008 for RHS in math was 19.6, which is less, for example,
than Williamsville (21.3) or Pleasant Plains (21.5). Urbana’s was 20.7.
Mr. Gum is happy to answer questions about the proposal; to contact him, or for a look at the entire proposal, e-mail him at mgum@rivertonschools.org.
Issue Date: Jan. 15, 2009
