Los Angeles Unified School District and McGraw-Hill Launch Unique Algebra Initiative

How can students become more successful in algebra? Educators everywhere have been asking this question for years. Superintendent Robert Collins of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Local District C may have the answer.

With the traditionally low rates of passage in algebra nationwide, LAUSD has launched a first-of-its-kind Algebra Initiative aimed at increasing student success. It is the first customized Algebra I program developed with input from the teachers and students involved in the program. The initiative aligns with the objectives of The No Child Left Behind Act, which requires all students to meet standards in math and language arts by 2014 and asks schools to provide annual progress reports.

"Working with McGraw-Hill Professional Development, our new algebra initiative will change the way students learn and teachers teach algebra. The professional development program is aimed at increasing levels of student achievement and renewing teacher enthusiasm. An educational miracle? Not really. Just an example of what can happen when you combine a dedicated math staff with outside expertise and add a lot of support every day," said Robert Collins, superintendent of LAUSD Local District C, which serves more than 77,000 students.

McGraw-Hill Professional Development will provide training to all educators involved in the initiative. Through monthly planning sessions, administrators and school-site leaders will learn implementation strategies, which includes the integration of assessment tools. Math teams will work in small learning communities to understand core mathematics standards, effective teaching strategies, and how to use assessment data to drive instruction. The teams will also create comprehensive, focused implementation plans, as well as receive ongoing support and feedback. An online component of the training will provide any time reinforcement of strategies and concepts learned in the on site training.

The initiative will provide quarterly goals created in collaboration with teachers, which include:

   * Focusing on key standards.
   * Developing classroom assessments for each key standard.
   * Using effective teaching strategies and fostering collaboration with
     colleagues.
   * Utilizing quarterly assessment data to drive instruction and improve
     student achievement.

The LAUSD Algebra Initiative Launch, held last week, provided administrators and teachers with a project overview and included specific information on the program's key goals. Jack Price, former president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and consulting author to the McGraw-Hill team, provided a motivational keynote address, "Algebra for All."

McGraw-Hill Professional Development, a unit of McGraw-Hill Education, specializes in quality customized professional development programs for educators that fit district and teacher needs. McGraw-Hill Education is a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), a global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's and Business Week. The Corporation has more than 320 offices in 34 countries. Sales in 2002 were $4.8 billion. Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.

SOURCE: McGraw-Hill Education

CONTACT: McGraw-Hill Education
April Hattori
(212) 904-2078
april_hattori@mcgraw-hill.com
Michelle Moore
Paul Werth Associates
Office: (614) 224-8114
MMoore@PaulWerth.com

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