Hillsborough County Public Schools Information and Technology
Information Item

DATE: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Accept the Report, Evaluation of the School District of Hillsborough County Elementary Mathematics Program: Voyages

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A content analysis of the Voyages Mathematics Program, in relation to both the current and proposed mathematics standards, was initiated by the Hillsborough County Public Schools after a survey was conducted of teachers who were using the program. A number of concerns were uncovered as a result of the survey and discussions with a group of parents. A contract was approved by the Board on March 13, 2007, for the evaluation of the program. The evaluation was performed by Dr. Gladis Kersaint, Principal Investigator, with the University of South Florida, Dr. Thomasina Lott Adams of the University of Florida, and Dr. Enrique Ortiz with the University of Central Florida. Two of the evaluators worked on the development of the new mathematics standards, and one serves as a consultant related to the development of the FCAT.

The evaluation report reflects the results obtained from the analysis of the Voyages Program. Based on the content analysis, the following recommendations were provided to help the District prepare for the implementation of the Florida Mathematics Standards approved by the State Board in September 2007:

  • The district should focus on more than the minimum requirements.
  • Students should be engaged in doing mathematics with opportunities for exploration and investigation.
  • Classes should include approaches to address the needs of all students.
  • The effective use of representation as part of mathematics teaching and learning should be encouraged.
  • Technology should be used to support development of mathematics understanding.
  • The scope of the curriculum should not be limited in an attempt to align it to the standards and high-stakes tests.
  • Help should be given to teachers in understanding the frameworks that underlie the curriculum.
  • Teachers should be provided well-structured, ongoing professional development that directly supports curricular implementation.
  • ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

    Goal 2: The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT mathematics will increase a minimum of five percentage points. Critical Success Factors: Monitor student achievement and use that data as the basis for instructional decisions and Align mathematics curriculum, instructional practices, and assessment instruments to maximize student achievement.

    FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

    The cost of the evaluation was $45,000.

    EVALUATION

    This document is the evaluation of the Voyages Program which was approved by the Board on March 13, 2007, Board Item #8.01B.

    SUBMITTED BY:

    John A. Hilderbrand
    Director, Assessment and Accountability
    (813) 272-4341
    Jack E. Davis
    Chief Information and Technology Officer
    (813) 272-4600
    A 9.03
    Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20071016_268 * Section A Item# 9.03