1 (a)

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very low………………………………………………………………average……………………………………………………………very high

MATHS

National

School

1

Examples of questions

(a) 77 + 42 =

(b) Increase 27 by 6

(c) 21.23 – 12.4 =

(d) Calculate 12% of 20

(e) Measure the perimeter of this field

(f) 2 + 2 = 5 3

200m

50m

23 (a)By working with small groups

MATHS LITERACY – SUMMARY OF 29 STUDENT RESPONSES

3 (b)

SUBJECT DEPARTMENT REVIEW OF NUMERACY ACROSSS THE CURRICULUM

It depends on the subject but we should try when we can, we probably should do more.

Not closely at all. No time for meetings.

Not sure, don’t know what they do.

Students like using the LUVE2CU problem solving approach and pair work.

Use of Maths language, understanding Maths terms & symbols, general carelessness.

More links with Maths dept, key words, posters, insist on students checking their work.

DATE: 3/10/12 DEPARTMENT: SUMMARY

Using LUVE2CU and pair and group work, group work can be difficult with some classes.

Differentiation, concrete resources, peer tutoring, on-line games such as freerice.com.

Extension exercises, on-line programmes, peer tutoring.

Sometimes, it depends on the subject.

Visualiser, IWB, on-line games, IXL free practices, freerice.com, graphs/charts in magazines.

Review subject plans to identify numeracy needs of each topic. CPD from Maths department. Ensure we do not leave the Maths elements of our subject to the Maths

department to teach. Make links with what is done in Maths where possible. Have a copy of the Maths dept plan in our own plans so we know when

certain topics are being taught. Common use of calculator. Let students work out their own percentages for test results

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Diagnostic Window ReviewNumeracy

List the strengths

1. Learner outcomesAttainment of curriculum objectives

2. Learning experienceEngagement in learning

3. Teachers’ practiceTeaching approaches

List the areas for improvement

1. Learner outcomesAttainment of curriculum objectives

2. Learning experienceEngagement in learning

3. Teachers’ practiceTeaching approaches

List your findings from the data What further questions do we have?

Sources of Evidence Used:

Source: adapted from Michael Fullan “School Self-Assessment The Road to School Effectiveness”

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Sample School Self-Evaluation Report forPost-Primary Numeracy Worked Example

1. Introduction

1.1 The focus of the evaluation

A school self-evaluation of teaching & learning in school X was undertaken in the first term of 2012. During the evaluation Maths and how the teaching and learning in all other subjects support the acquisition of numeracy skills in 1 st Year were reviewed.

This is a report on the finding of the evaluation1.2 School context

This is an urban, DEIS, mixed school with 300 students and approximately 45 EAL students. We have an excellent tradition of school development planning. We provide a varied curriculum including JCSP, TY, LCA programmes.

2. The Findings

Learner Outcomes A Cognitive Ability Test (CAT) was administered to all 1st Year students

and the results for the cohort are well below the national norms. A Maths competency test for 1st Years was designed and administered by

the numeracy link teacher and Maths department in September which identified scope for improvement in the mastery of a range of specific skills in the cohort sampled.

All subject departments used the PDST tool for analysing results in the Leaving and Junior Certificate exams and analysed the trend over the last three years. JC uptake of HL Maths is 22% compared with 48% nationally and LC uptake at HL is 7% compared with 22% nationally.

Findings from the attitudinal survey: 52% of students like Maths and 81% believe that they will need Maths after they leave school.

Learning experienceAt a staff meeting, the evaluation criteria in the SSE guidelines were scanned and the sub-themes Attainment of Curriculum Objectives, Engagement in Learning and Teaching Approaches through the lens of numeracy were chosen for the SSE. The SSE core group designed a student questionnaire on attitudes to Numeracy and Engagement in Learning. This was administered to a sample of 29 students. Findings:• Students are engaging in independent & cooperative learning.• 57% of students check their answers.• 29% of students said they are not good at explaining maths in their own

words.

• 98% answers correct for 2 + 2 but only 75% for increase two by two.• 79% said there was usually more than one way to work out a problem.

Teachers’ practice

All subject departments completed the focus group schedule for numeracy (p. 82 SSE guidelines). Findings:

There is awareness of numeracy amongst staff and they see themselves as having a role to play in developing numeracy skills.

There is also an awareness of the resources, including ICT, available for the integration of numeracy.

Many teachers use a variety of methodologies and the problem solving approach LUVE2CU.

However teachers do not believe that there is a whole school approach to numeracy or enough collaboration with the Maths department.

Progress made on previously identified targets identified in the current SIPN/A for year one as SIP not in place yet.

4. Summary of school self-evaluation findings

4.1 Our school has strengths in the following areas:

52% of students like Maths and 81% believe that they will need Maths after they leave school.

Students are engaging in independent & cooperative learning. There is awareness of numeracy amongst staff and they see themselves as

having a role to play in developing numeracy skills. Teachers are aware that problem solving is part of their subject and use a

problem solving strategy. Teachers use concrete materials or link problems to real life.

4.2 The following areas are prioritised for improvement

• Developing common approaches to mathematical operations and language across the curriculum.

• Creating a numeracy rich environment.• Ensuring that first year students improve their competence in a range of

mathematical concepts and operations identified by the criterion referenced test, such as problem solving, fractions and integers.

• Embedding a culture of estimate, calculate and check across the curriculum.• Increasing the up-take of higher level maths both at junior and senior cycle.

4.3 The following legislative and regulatory requirements need to be addressed.

The school needs to ensure that parent-teacher meetings are organised in full compliance with circular 58/04 6

Sample School Improvement Plan for Post-Primary Numeracy – Worked Example

All subject departments have analysed Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate results using the PDST tool and they are recorded in the respective subject department plans.

The CAT test and Maths criterion referenced test is administered to all first year students and the results are collated below.

CAT Standardised ScoresStandardised Score < 73 74 - 81 82 - 88 89 - 96 97 - 103 104 -111 112 - 118 119 -126 >127School 8% 5% 20% 26% 18% 14% 5% 2% 2%National 4% 7% 12% 17% 12% 17% 12% 7% 4%

Results of Maths Competency TestSkill Computation Language Decimals Fractions Percentages Measure Integer

sSequences Data

TablesProblems

Pre-test proficiency

98% 75% 65% 20% 33% 42% 25% 38% 45% 10%

Summary of main strengths 52% of students like Maths and 81% believe that they will need Maths after they leave school. Students are engaging in independent & cooperative learning. There is awareness of numeracy amongst staff and they see themselves as having a role to play in

developing numeracy skills. Teachers are aware that problem solving is part of their subject and use a problem solving strategy. Teachers use concrete materials or link problems to real life.

Summary of main areas requiring improvements

• Developing common approaches to mathematical operations and language across the curriculum.• Creating a numeracy rich environment.• Ensuring that first year students improve their competence in a range of mathematical concepts and

operations identified by the criterion referenced test, such as problem solving, fractions and integers. • Embedding a culture of estimate, calculate, check across the curriculum.• Increasing the up-take of higher level maths both at junior and senior cycle.

Improvement Targets Required Actions Persons responsible Success Criteria / Timeframe for

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Measurable Outcomes

Actions

To increase the number of students taking Junior Certificate Higher Level Maths from:23% to 25% by May 2013 25% to 27% by May 201427% to 29% by May 2015

1. Mixed ability classes in Maths to be maintained until the end of first year.

2. Traffic light system put in place to monitor borderline students (orange).

3. Please suggest another action here.

Senior management & Maths department.

Maths department

Year-head

Maths department & resource teachers

Higher number of students opting to stay in Higher Level Maths in Second Year.Students tracking their own results for Maths in their student journal.

Analysis of results in September 2013/14/15

To increase the proficiency level on the Maths Competency Test (MCT) for the current 1st Year cohort by May 2012, as outlined in the table below.*Review the targets for the 2012 cohort in May, establish a baseline from the pre & post-test mean proficiency levels to set targets for 2013/14 1st year cohorts.

1. Administer Maths Competency Tests.

2. Whole-school discussion and prioritisation of criterion referenced test findings.

3. Implement the common introductory course for Project Maths in 1st Year, order of topics prioritised in line with the finding of the MCT.

1st year Maths Teacher & Numeracy Link Teacher.Administered & corrected using Google forms.

Maths Competency Test to show student’s forward progression.

MCT administered to each incoming first year group: pre-test in Sept of 2013/14/15 and re-test as outlined in the table below.

Results of Maths Competency TestSkill Computation Language Decimals Fractions Percentage Measure Integers Sequences Data

TablesProblems

From pre-test proficiency

98% 75% 65% 20% 33% 42% 25% 38% 45% 10%

To post-test targetproficiency

100% 80% 80% 80% 80% 80% 80% 60% 60% 60%

By Oct 2012 Oct 2012 Nov 2012 Nov 2012 Nov 2012 Jan 2013 Dec 2013 Feb 2013 March 2013

April 2013

Computation to integers are fundamental skills for JCOL Maths and 80% of every first year cohort should be expected to answer these questions correctly by the end of first year. Sequences to problems are more higher order skills and up to 60% of each first year cohort should be expected to answer these questions correctly by the end of first year.

Improvement Targets Required Actions Persons responsible Success Criteria / Timeframe for

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Measurable Outcomes

Actions

4. All subject departments assess the numeracy demands of their subject and articulate in subject plans.

5. Align the teaching of topics to the 1st Year common introductory course for Project Maths where possible.

6. Integration of numeracy into lessons.

7. Acknowledging “numeracy moments in class.”

All teachers A decrease in the number of students who think that they only need Maths for Maths class.An increase in the number of students who think that all of their teachers like Maths.

Revise subject pans1st Year 2013/142nd Year 2014/153rd Year 2015/16

Please suggest a target here 1. Explicit vocabulary instruction of relevant Maths language in all subjects, display students work & posters.

All teachers Improvement in the use of numeracy vocabulary assessed by observation & end of topic/term & year tests.

Test at the end of:each topiceach termeach yearin 2013/14/15

Please suggest a target here 1. Estimate, calculate and check used in all subjects when appropriate.

All teachers Please suggest a success criteria here

Used in all class when appropriate for 2013/14/15

Monitor Target 1

Monitor Target 2

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