Working With Teachers to "Change the Odds" for Student Math Success: A District-University Collaboration

• In Event: 34.026 - University and District Partnerships for School Improvement

Abstract

This paper discusses a mathematics intervention in four high-needs middle schools in California, aimed at deepening student understanding of core mathematics concepts by providing teachers with a variety of supports, including access to quality student outcome data, coaching, cross-school collaboration, co-teaching, and time to “do math” together. This continuous improvement project builds on an 18-year collaborative researcher-practitioner partnership between a research university and a large urban school district. The paper describes how the intervention emerged from a nationwide concern about middle school math achievement and our theory of action. It focuses on the project’s challenges and our responses, and on the ways in which the continuous improvement process affected student learning, teacher practice, and supports provided to teachers.

Authors

• Karen V. Bachofer, San Diego City Schools

• Julian Betts, University of California - San Diego

• Amanda L. Datnow, University of California - San Diego

• Ron G. Rode, San Diego Unified School District

• Kimberly Anne OBrien Samaniego, Lincoln High School

• Ann Trescott, University of California - San Diego

• Andrew Zau, University of California - San Diego