ACCELERATED MATH

EMILY TOMS

ITEC 7445: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Accelerated Math

Provided by Renaissance Learning.

A software tool that is used to customize assignments and monitor progress in mathematics.

Creates individualized goals and assignments.

Why Accelerated Math?

Benefits

Creates math assignments tailored to each student’s current level.

Automatically scores assignments and tests.

Provides ongoing feedback on students’ work and progress.

Helps teachers differentiate math instruction.

Limitations

Cost

One-time school fee

Annual student fee

Scanner and scan cards

High volume of paper use.

Although Accelerated Math is great at providing comprehensive and leveled practice, teachers are still responsible for collaborating and ensuring that students are progressing in their objectives.

Target Population

Assignments are geared for students in grades 1-12. For Faith Lutheran, grades 1-8 will benefit from the program. This includes students in the accelerated program.

The scope and sequence includes grades 1-8, algebra 1, and geometry.

What Works Clearing House scored the program to most help students in grades 2-5.

Target Population cont’d

Faith Lutheran would likely pilot the program using 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades to ensure equitable access.

Teachers in grades 1-8 would have access to the program in the computer lab and on their laptops.

Teachers have laptop computers from which they can monitor the data.

What We Need to Get Started

Equipment

Laptops and desktops

AccelScan scanner and scan cards.

Optional: Renaissance Responder or NEO 2.

Software

Accelerated Math program purchased and loaded onto computers.

STAR Math is another software option for teachers to use to test students quarterly on their progress.

Technical Support

Renaissance Place has a training center within its website. It provides extensive information on classroom management, diagnosis and intervention, family/community engagement, fundamentals, set up, state standards, and how to use reports.

Technical Support cont’d

The Renaissance Training Center offers E-Learning through on-demand sessions and recorded web seminars.

Live Events are also offered to teachers and trainers through web seminars and symposiums.

Cost

The Accelerated Math program requires a one-time school fee of $2,899.

Faith Lutheran would then need to pay a $1,000 annual fee (per 250 students).

An additional $4 per student per year would be required.

AccelScan Scanner is needed to score students’ work.

Scanner = $259

Scan Cards = $45 (pack of 1000)

Cost Includes…

The Enterprise license includes nine hours of web-based professional development, content libraries for grade 1 math through calculus, unlimited technical support, software updates, and hosting of the software for the first year.

Additional web hosting costs $399 a year.

Single classroom packages are available if decided only grades 2-5 participate in the program.

Potential Funding Sources

Renaissance Learning has found more than $3 million in funds to support schools each year. Grant proposals are not required but recommended.

Renaissance Learning has created a tool to help schools find funds that meet their needs.

Faith Lutheran has a PTL that might be a potential funding source.

Teachers could put a proposal on DonorsChoose.org.

How Do We Use Accelerated Math?

Teachers instruct students using our existing curriculum (Saxon Math).

Students practice math objectives at their own pace with printed assignments from the software, which includes review problems to assure retention.

Teachers or students score the work using an AccelScan scanner, Renaissance Responder, or Renaissance Home Connect.

Teachers review generated reports to inform and guide instruction. Teachers can share reports with parents.

How Could Accelerated Math be

Used to Differentiate

Instruction?Students can work at their own pace as teachers track their progress.

Allows for individual student units for remediation or extension.

The program can be used as a resource for basic skill reinforcement through repetition.

Evaluation of Program

Evaluations praise the students’ enthusiasm for the program and the opportunity it gives for teachers to meet students’ individual needs:

“With Accelerated Math, my students are so excited about math that most of them come to see me every day to get a lesson. They get excited to pass their tests and move to the next level. Their success builds confidence and a love for math!” (Matthews 2012)

Evaluation of Program cont’d

“It’s a well-known fact that when students are engaged, they learn. The problem lies within a teacher’s ability to engage students in multiple ways on multiple levels simultaneously. The beauty of Accelerated Math is that it maintains this level of engagement so that the teacher can specialize the students’ experience. However, this most often requires the teacher to adapt to a new role of learning facilitator and can seem overwhelming. Yes, it requires you to wear many hats simultaneously, but it’s what’s best for kids—and there’s no arguing that.” (Koenig 2012)

Implementation Plan

Faith Lutheran’s technology team would first conduct a needs assessment.

The technology team would then analyze the results of the needs assessment and present it and the Accelerated Math program to appropriate administrators.

The plan to add the program to curriculum would be made known to all, goals would be set, and all stakeholders would be brought in.

Implementation Plan

Training will be needed for administration and the pilot teachers.

After a period of one year, the Technology Team will analyze the effects of the program on application and student achievement.

Reflection

I have recently moved to Georgia to teach at a private school in the area. My previous school in California used both Accelerated Math and Math Facts in a Flash. Faith Lutheran (my current school) prides themselves on their math program, and I believe that adding one or both the programs listed would benefit the teachers and students. Our vision for the school is to grow our technology and academics as we prepare our students for rigorous academics in high school. Accelerated Math will allow students to work at their own pace, but also be pushed to excel.

References

Accelerated Math™: What Works Clearinghouse. (n.d.). Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Home Page, a part of the U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved November 10, 2012, from http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/interventionreport.aspx?sid=9

Accelerated Math Enterprise | Scholastic.com. (n.d.). Scholastic, Helping Children Around the World to Read and Learn | Scholastic.com. Retrieved November 14, 2012, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/accelerated-math-enterprise

References cont’d

Intervention: Accelerated Math - Program information. (n.d.). Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Home Page, a part of the U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved November 10, 2012, from http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/reports/middle_math/accel_math/info.asp

Renaissance Learning - Accelerated Math Enterprise. (n.d.). Renaissance Learning - Advanced Technology for Data-Driven Schools. Retrieved November 10, 2012, from http://www.renlearn.com/am/default.aspx