Connecticut Algebra One for All

1
ConnecticutAlgebra One for All

• Top Ten List
• About Learning Algebra

2
Parents Must be Involved

• Children achieve greater success as learners
  when parents play an active role, regardless of
  socioeconomic status, ethnic/racial background,
  or the parents own level of education.
• The more intensely parents are involved, the
  more confident and engaged their children are as
  learners and the more beneficial the effects on
  their achievement.

3
Algebra

Top Ten Questions every parent should ask
4
Question One

• What is algebra?
• Algebra is the study of mathematics that uses the
  operations of addition, subtraction,
  multiplication and division to solve for unknown
  numbers from information given by using symbols.
• Algebra is the language of opportunity in the
  21st Century
• Algebra develops students thinking skills
  specifically logic, patterns, problem solving,
  and reasoning
• Algebra helps students picture complicated
  concepts and relationships

5
Question Two

• Why should my child take mathematics beyond
  arithmetic?
• Without solid understanding of algebra, your
  child will be limited to the least desirable jobs
  with limited advancement
• According to Achieve, Inc., nearly 80 of U.S.
  job opening in next ten years will require some
  type of post-secondary education or training,
  which requires at least algebra as a precondition
  to enrollment
• The more they know, the more they will earn

6
Algebra Pays..
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Earning for
workers 25 and older, by education attainment
for median weekly earnings in
2008. Professional Degree 1,923
100,000/yr Doctoral Degree 1,527
79,400/yr Masters Degree 1,179
61,300/yr Bachelors Degree 979
50,900/yr Associate Degree 781
40,600/yr Some college 714
37,100/yr High school graduate 606
31,500/yr Less than HS diploma 450
23,400/yr
7
Great Careers Require More Education
STEM refers to science, technology, engineering
and mathematics
Data from CT Department of Labor CT Careers in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Report - August 2008
8
STEM Careers in Connecticut Vary Widely
Data from CT Department of Labor CT Careers in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Report - August 2008
9
Question Three

• Why is it important for my child to take algebra
  in middle and/or high school?
• Algebra I is gateway course
• Much higher rates of college attendance.
  At-risk students who take algebra and geometry
  are three times more likely to attend college
• Connection to civil rights Algebra means
  access to careers
• Girls with home encouragement (dads) do better
  in math than those who are not supported

10
Question Four

• How can I be sure that my child is ready for
  algebra?
• According to the National Mathematics Advisory
  Panel, students need to have three key
  readiness skills
• Fluency with Whole Numbers
• Fluency with Fractions and
• Particular Aspects of Geometry and Measurement.
• Talk with your childs teachers about progress in
  classroom work and the CT Mastery Tests
• Parents are childs best and strongest advocate

11
Question Five

• My child struggles now with math, maybe he/she
  cant learn algebra?
• All children can learn algebra!
• Most students achievement rises or falls to the
  level of the expectations, especially from
  their parents and their teachers
• Studies have demonstrated that childrens beliefs
  about the relative importance of effort and
  ability or inherent talent can be changed, and
  that increased emphasis on the importance of
  effort is related to greater engagement in
  mathematics learning and, through this
  engagement, improved mathematics grades and
  achievement, according to the National
  Mathematics Advisory Panel.

12
Question Six

• Can algebra help my child in subjects other than
  math?
• Algebra helps students to organize their
  thinking, and to
  craft reasonable responses when
  confronted with changing
  situations
• Many higher-level high school mathematics,
  science, economics, technology and social
  studies classes require algebra to fully
  understand the subjects

13
Question Seven

• My child doesnt want to go to college so why
  should he or she take algebra?
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
  can help students even if
  they do not go to
  college or pursue a math- or science-
  related career
• Many trade apprenticeships require at least
  Algebra I to enter the
  program
• Military services require a passing score on
  math test that includes algebra to enlist

14
Question Eight

• Why did the CT State Department of Education
  (CSDE) develop the CT Algebra One for All Course?
  
• Wants to make secondary education and high
  school graduation more engaging and relevant
• Typical Algebra I course - a mile wide and an
  inch deep. The courses focus far more on a
  disconnected set of skills and procedures than
  on the deep understanding of a few key big ideas
  and how they are used in real life and in more
  challenging mathematics and science courses
• Many existing Algebra I courses remain mired in
  the past, are taught with limited use of
  technology and serve far too few students with
  learning activities that are based on actual
  life examples

15
Question Nine

• How is the CT Algebra One for All different from
  the Algebra I course our school district may
  offer now?
• Rich in learning tools and technology
• Provides learning built around real-world
  contexts, situations and problems
• Emphasizes depth of understanding rather than
  breadth of material
• Provides both individual and group experiences
  with activities for students who need more help
  and time on a task and more advanced study for
  students who are ready to move on

16
Question TenJust the Beginning
Schools and teachers are responsible for
educating my children, what role do I
have? According to President Obama, America
cannot succeed unless our students take
responsibility for their own education and
responsibility for our childrens education must
begin at home.