At the Aug. 26 school board meeting, the Medical Lake School District board of directors approved the Engage NY Math Curriculum.
According to the Engage NY website, the curriculum is created by the New York State Education Department to implement aspects of the New York State Board of Regents Reform Agenda. The curriculum focuses on implementing the state’s Common Core standards, as well as teacher effectiveness and data-driven instruction. Their website provides materials and resources for teachers across the state.
Superintendent Tim Ames said Engage NY was originally intended to be supplemental material to the math curriculum. However, the Washington state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) cautioned the district about purchasing a math curriculum because textbooks are not aligned with common core standards.
“Companies slap a sticker on (textbooks) that reads ‘meets with common core state standards’ but they really don’t,” Kim Headrick, director of teaching and learning, said. “They may touch on the standards but they don’t go into the depth and the rigor.”
Headrick said staff began working with Engage NY modules and found the curriculum builds a balance of fluency skills, practice concept development and checks for understanding.
According to Headrick, staff brought a committee together and examined the pros and cons of using the curriculum before deciding to go with Engage NY.
Headrick said Engage NY is an open resource and teachers can go and download free modules and resources.
“There are printing costs, but we’re not (looking at) $45-$70 for a textbook,” Headrick said.
Headrick said the curriculum address all Common Core standards and provides opportunities for students to practice skills through fluency. Students will engage in not only standard algorithm, but also visual elements.
“That’s not something that we experienced when we were learning math,” Headrick said. “But as we know from research, the opportunity for kids to use that visual representation as well as an opportunity to have hands-on (learning) is critical to their understanding.”
Board member Ron Cooper asked if parents could have access to the curriculum. Headrick said they would.
Board member Felicia Jensen asked if there would be tools to assist parents in helping their children. Ames said teachers would present Engage NY to parents. Special education coordinator Ann Everett said schools have networked with parents who have experience in Engage NY.
Headrick said staff are discerning customers and will keep track of how Engage NY is working for students, while also continuing to look for math materials that teach common core standards.
“We will continuously look it over with a discerning eye to make sure it helps our students,” Headrick said.
The district has not purchased a math curriculum since 2012 due to past budget cuts.
In other business, the board approved an agreement for an internship program for Washington State University students, an annual grant applications for class-ride reduction, as well as the annual Title I grant application and a resolution for unpaid holidays for staff for reasons of faith or conscience.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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