Page 11 - Mathematics

Mathematics Department Program Review
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Emerging Recommendations

Recommendation #1:
Adopt and widely communicate the Mathematics Department philosophy and vision to internal and external
stakeholders while ensuring a practical connection to program design and delivery.

FINDINGS:
Internal Analysis

1. There is no formal, articulated, and shared philosophy or vision statement for the Mathematics
Department (PRSD Vertical Team, 2018).

2. The Math Pathways have been shared with internal and external stakeholders through the High School
Program of Studies and elementary math pathways overview presentations, but the pathways are only part
of the Mathematics Department program (PRSD Vertical Team, 2018).

3. Problem solving and real-world applications need to be embedded through open-ended resources (PRSD
Vertical Team, 2018).

4. During Town Hall Meetings, parents indicated that school topics that "make it to the dinner table" are
heavily based in real-world problems/projects (PRSD Parent/Community Focus Group, 2018).

External Analysis
1. Foundational skills formed in the elementary years lead to success at the middle and secondary level (Mt.
Lebanon SD, 2018).
2. Fact fluency is needed to enhance computation to assist real-world problem solving (Central Bucks SD,
2018).
3. Core team of math teachers employ techniques to help connect real world themes (New Hope-Solebury
SD, 2018).
4. Application and real-world problems should be part of the majority of lessons (Slippery Rock University,
2018).
5. The PA Core Standards define the knowledge and skills students will need to be prepared for the careers
of tomorrow, including the ability to communicate effectively, work in groups, apply math in real-world
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