Math success strategies yield student achievement

By Amanda Lorbetski

Belleville secondary and college students are taking advantage of math support services, and are improving their classroom performance.

EQAO statistics show that roughly one third of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board`s Grade six students worked at a level three or above in math.  This compares to just over 50 per cent of applied and 82 percent of academic grade nine math students achieving that result.

About 50 percent of Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board`s grade six and nine applied students worked at least at a level three in EQAO.  86% of grade nine academic students achieved the same levels.

Jeffrey Richardson is a teacher and the current math and business head at Quinte Secondary School.  He is also the former Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board math curriculum coordinator.  He said the results, at least for his school, are deceiving.

“We have a philosophy in our department of really trying to get kids to work at the highest level where they can be successful, so that it opens as many pathways for them [as possible.]  So for instance, we have a lot of students trying in our applied pathway,” said Richardson.  “At other schools, the students would be in the locally-developed pathway.  It has an impact on our results a little bit, but we’re okay with that.”

Richardson said EQAO recently began publishing cohort data, which tracks individual student test scores in grades three, six and nine.  He felt this tool allows teachers to tailor the math curriculum to students’ abilities.

In his department, math is a hands-on experience.  Algebra tiles, linking cubes, smartphones, smart boards and tablets are incorporated into the classroom.

He said that students would graduate high school better prepared, if financial literacy was covered in math.

York University and Seneca College released the joint York-Seneca College Mathematics Project in 2011.

This report was prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Education as well as the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.  It examined math’s role in the education system.

Two grade 12 math courses for college preparation offered in Ontario high schools are MAP4C (foundations for college mathematics) and MCT4C (mathematics for college technology.)  The first is a general math course while the second is tailored towards those planning to study the trades in college.

“Many more students came to college with MAP4C than MCT4C in grade 12 but their achievement was lower overall,” said the report.

“So, part of the reason for that is there’s a really good course in high school called math for college technology, but it’s not required by college programs,” said Richardson.  “Because it’s not mandatory, a lot of kids don’t take it and therefore they’re not as prepared as they should be for the college program.”

Catherine O’Rourke is Loyalist College’s Director of Student Success Services at the Belleville campus.

“I think that we want to keep our courses accessible to all students of all ages, and as a result of that, we would not make that a prerequisite,” said O’Rourke.

The goal of many college students is to earn a job following graduation.

O’Rourke said that Loyalist College’s support services are unique in Canada.  She said having numeracy skills contributes to a higher quality of life, as they are necessary in any field of work.

“Well, I think that if you are looking at applying yourself into a specific area of employment, it’s critical that you have the confidence to use numeracy skills in your job,” said O’Rourke.  “I think that will enhance your success.”

The recent economic downturn influenced Rusty Downey, to return to the classroom after thirty years in the workforce.  He is a carpenter, now in his first year of Loyalist College’s architectural technology program.

Downey participated in the college’s math refresher boot camp this past summer.

The program is for students looking to update their numeracy skills.  It is geared towards those starting a math-based program in September.

On Downey’s initial pre-test, he scored about 60%.  Within one week, he earned a 91% on the same assessment.

The course`s entrance fee was $50.

“I would have paid ten times that amount just to get that knowledge and that comfort level to come back into college again,” said Downey.

“I highly recommend anyone who’s even remotely nervous to attend the boot camp,” said Downey.  “Whether it’s math, English, anyone we take.  It’s highly rewarding and it gives you that comfort level to coming back into college.”

Jeremy Patenaude is a first-year nursing degree student.  In addition, he is a tutor in Loyalist College’s peer tutoring and academic skills centre.

“So, the reason that the services here are so good is because regardless of your skill level with math or whatever you’re getting help with, tutoring in, there’s always going to be somebody who’s got that extra edge, so they can assist you,” said Patenaude.

Jacob Lean and Jon Plumridge both tutor at the college as well.

Lean is a third-year civil engineering technology student.  Plumridge returned to school and is in his second year of the construction engineering technician program.

Both pointed to the ease of accessing the college’s academic support services, to ultimately achieve success.

“If someone else doesn’t quite get the concept of it, it’s great to help them get it so that you see them the next year and they’re great at it,” said Lean.

Looking forward, Plumridge said just how fundamental math is in everyday life.

“It’s not going anywhere.”