High Prairie School Division

Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI) Project

2010 - 2011

Overview of the Project

The HPSD AISI project is designed to increase achievement in mathematics for all students K-12 in our schools, with a recognition that our Aboriginal students are generally performing significantly below our non-Aboriginal students and that closing this gap is critical.  Using math consultants and teacher coaches, to work on-site in schools with K to 12 teachers, we are developing a collaborative culture within the district that is based on a common vocabulary for both students and teachers and teaching.  We are focusing on developing teachers’ in depth understanding of the intent of the Math Program of Studies, with a particular emphasis in K - 6 on spatial learning and on using assessment for learning methods to engage students in deeper learning and understanding in mathematics. 

At the end of the 3 year project cycle (June 2011), we will have built a mathematics assessment data-base linked to the K-12 Alberta Mathematics Curriculum outcomes identifying evidence of student learning at both the acceptable and standard of excellence levels.  Teachers will have a common understanding and an increased confidence of what mathematical proficiency and student engagement in the subject looks like across the grades. 

This work will involve teams of teachers at all grade levels in an in-depth examination of the math curriculum outcomes, study and reflection on instructional practice facilitated through coaching, team teaching, modeling and video-taping.   A pivotal part of this process will be the collaborative examination between teachers and teachers with their students in the analysis of student work in order to both build exemplars of achievement and to demonstrate evidence of student growth.  As a result of this process, teachers will deepen their understanding of how to recognize and respond to student misunderstanding of mathematical concepts and students will feel more comfortable to ask for help.

Professional development is provided to teachers and instructional leaders in each of the schools to ensure that consistent levels of administrative support and instruction is provided to students and that accountability for success is a shared responsibility. 

 Why the Project is Needed

Math achievement and student engagement in math at all levels in HPSD is a concern.  Trustees and administrators have identified math as a priority area.  Additionally, teachers have requested support in implementing the revised math curriculum.  Divisional leadership believes that HPSD needs to develop a common language and synergy across the division so that all teachers feel supported and have access to best practices, pedagogy and strategies to benefit our students.

This project links the results of two previous HPSD Cycle 3 AISI projects  - (1) The C. J. Schurter School Math Pilot Project ,and (2) The jurisdiction-wide Assessment for Learning Project .  These projects have been reorganized into one district-wide project that focuses all HPSD schools on improving mathematics learning.  This will allow teachers to build on existing assessment for learning skills and knowledge as they develop new instructional strategies for teaching, assessing and engaging students in math. It will also allow the students to use the strategies in assessment for learning for themselves in order for assessment to be a collaborative process in the classrooms. We are looking at developing deeper understandings and collaboration in curriculum outcomes for both students and teachers in order to provide strategies for enhanced individual learning and assessment. The focus on spatial learning at the elementary level is an innovative attempt to look at mathematics learning strategies for all styles of learning with an eye on the research that links spatial learning and the FNMI student. 

Participant Involvement in the Planning and Consulting Process

Five strategic planning days took place in the division in 2008 – 09 with the Trustees, Executive Council and site administrators to identify priority areas of focus.  Mathematics was identified as the number one priority. At G. P. Vanier School, a pilot school-community planning session took place.  Roland Michener School was selected for an external review.  In both cases the data was reviewed and Mathematics was identified as a priority area for improvement.  As well, all schools involved their school councils in their 3 Year Education Plan development at which time Math improvement was discussed. 

Participant Involvement in the Implementation Process

There have been on-going reporting, consultation and planning through school-community planning sessions and external reviews in every community.  Schools are encouraged to showcase their mathematics learning by having school fairs where students demonstrate mathematics and engage parents in the process.   As well, schools are encouraged to incorporate an AISI Math Corner school in their newsletters with descriptions of what is being done at the individual schools.  Teachers are involved in supported professional development with external Math consultants, Professional Learning Teams.  There is a strong focus on collaboration and support of one another through networking across the jurisdiction.