Over 250 Achievement First high school students were rewarded for their hard work and achievement in Mathematics at a Math Achievers Awards Assembly on November 6, at Manuel Career & Technical School. Students from the five AF High Schools (Central, Paseo, Northeast, Southeast and Van Horn) earned the privilege of attending by showing proficiency in 98% or more of the math benchmarks so far this quarter. This level of achievement means these students are on track to score “proficient” or above on the state MAP test and on track to complete Calculus prior to graduating from high school. As part of the event, students received t-shirts and heard motivational speaker Fel Bagunu, Executive Pastor at Sheffield Family Life Center.
Math Benchmarking is a powerful new strategy being implemented in all Algebra and Geometry courses in the AF High Schools this year. The District launched Math Benchmarking this summer with intensive teacher work sessions, where key math concepts were broken down into individual components. In Math Benchmarking classes the learning process is transparent. On the first day of class, students are shown all the concepts they must master by the end of the course. With individualized instruction and teacher coaching, all students are supported in mastering upper level math courses in preparation for success in college.
Students aren’t the only ones improving their math skills with Math Benchmarking. Teachers improve both their content knowledge and their teaching strategies as they develop the benchmarks and then support students in learning them.
Math Benchmarking is a key instructional improvement strategy within the Achievement First framework, and is supported through funds from PREP-KC. “We’re trying to change the culture in our district, “said Assistant Superintendent Vickie Murillo. “We want to celebrate student achievement in math as much as we might in sports or music.”
But the event was about more than just celebrating. It was designed as part of an ongoing district commitment to helping all students graduate from high school with the math skills they need for college. “We know that all jobs now require math mastery beyond algebra and geometry-- manufacturing, construction, healthcare, engineering -- you name it,” said Murillo. “Those industries need employees with the math skills our students will learn in their math benchmarking classes.”