Middle School Math Change Network Meets to Share Findings from Marana Learning Cohort

Earlier this month, the Middle School Math Change Network had their first meeting of 2022, bringing together representatives from Flowing Wells, Marana, Sahuarita, Sunnyside, and Tucson Unified School Districts and the Center for Recruitment and Retention of Math Teachers at the University of Arizona. The Change Network reconvened to share learnings and challenges with a goal of identifying opportunities of increased alignment for supporting students transitioning to middle school in math.

 

Jen Hendrickson, the K-8 Math Specialist at Marana Unified School District (MUSD) shared learnings from MUSD’s continuous improvement project testing a learning cohort strategy for teachers aimed at improving student transition from fifth grade to sixth grade math. Hendrickson has been leading monthly sessions throughout the school year for teachers, helping to support their needs with math curriculum alignment, instruction, and assessment by focusing on various aspects of student learning at the sixth-grade level. Partners had the opportunity to learn from each other about effectively implementing and adapting strategies around professional development for math teachers. They also discussed challenges and opportunities from the first semester to support greater alignment for impact in the coming year.

 

Partners are excited to take learnings back to their districts as they continue to support math teachers. As this work continues, C2C will be providing support for other districts to test strategies around professional development for middle school math teachers with plans to begin another site-based project for the upcoming school year.

 

The Middle School Math Change Network will continue to meet every other month. To learn more about this Change Network, contact Amber Schlak at aschlak@unitedwaytucson.org.