Page 26 - AMDSB DAR 2018-2019

Accelerated Growth in Literacy & Numeracy
In AMDSB, students of all ages will achieve high levels of academic performance, acquire valuable skills and demonstrate good citizenship.
(Achieving Excellence: A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario, 2014)
Identify and implement targeted resources and Professional Development to support teachers’ understanding of teaching and learning of operational sense in math
Ten elementary schools worked with Dr. Alex Lawson and Teaching and Learning Coaches to support enhanced knowledge of operational sense (evidence of impact - teachers placing students on a continuum, teachers enhanced use of intentional task/skill development, and students using models/naming strategies). Twenty elementary schools developed common language/understanding of operational sense. Teachers increased their comfort with the strategies and new language, and students learned the new language and demonstrated use.
In addition, five schools had teams of educators teaching grade 7 math and 9 and 10 applied math. Each school team determined students’ learning needs using a diagnostic tool of their design. Vice Principals facilitated discussion about student strengths, needs and next steps. Educators determined areas for focused instruction and shared strategies to help students improve their mathematical skills. Two secondary schools (Goderich District Collegiate Institute and Central Huron Secondary School) used a collaborative approach to their learning and visited each other’s schools/classrooms. School teams were invited to group sessions to learn about Knowledgehook, a formative assessment tool, which assists learners and educators though assessment for learning activities to determine gaps in understanding and application of numeracy skills. Vice Principals from all five schools met to share and learn about their instructional leadership practices and monitoring plans several times throughout the year. These administrators also collaborated with their Principal partners to submit
Ministry reports that documented their school team’s learning.
In the 2018-2019 academic year, AMDSB students in the grade 9 applied math stream continued to outperform the provincial average by 15% on the EQAO assessment.
All of our focus areas and work
in each classroom contributes to overall student learning. One measure of our progress is a review of annual EQAO scores. By considering these results over a number of years, we can identify trends in the data that helps us consider next steps for student learning.
AVON MAITLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD | 2018-2019 Director’s Annual Report | 26