The Power of The Power of InformationInformation

Time to Consider Course Time to Consider Course Selection:Selection:

Mathematics & BeyondMathematics & Beyond

Looking BackLooking Back

Statistical Data Analysis of Student ‘At Risk’ Statistical Data Analysis of Student ‘At Risk’ ReferralsReferrals

Conducted Nov. 2006/07Conducted Nov. 2006/07Purpose:

-Investigate the ‘cause’ of high flow grade 10 student Investigate the ‘cause’ of high flow grade 10 student referrals in math courses referrals in math courses

- Assess / determine primary ‘At-Risk’ factors pertaining - Assess / determine primary ‘At-Risk’ factors pertaining to grade 10 math students at CPAto grade 10 math students at CPA

GOAL:GOAL: Maximize student achievement & success at the grade Maximize student achievement & success at the grade 10 level10 level..

BackgroundBackground 45 ‘At-Risk’ referrals for Grade 10 math 45 ‘At-Risk’ referrals for Grade 10 math

studentsstudents Students showing Students showing distinct distinct signs of not being signs of not being

successful in their respective coursessuccessful in their respective courses Remember: at time of referral collection, Remember: at time of referral collection,

there was still plenty of time in semester to there was still plenty of time in semester to prove success;prove success;

For teachers to refer at this point in For teachers to refer at this point in semester, semester, definitedefinite signs or issues signs or issues must must exist exist or be evident for the student and/or course. or be evident for the student and/or course.

Primary ‘At-Risk’ Factors Primary ‘At-Risk’ Factors (Specified by CPA Math Department)(Specified by CPA Math Department)

Work Ethic & Effort + Classroom Work Ethic & Effort + Classroom

attentiveness, engagement, focusattentiveness, engagement, focus Language Barrier (ESL/French)Language Barrier (ESL/French) Struggling with course contentStruggling with course content Personal or Family issues/statusPersonal or Family issues/status Attendance Attendance Learning DisabilitiesLearning Disabilities

Looking at the Data:Looking at the Data:(Total: 45 Gr. 10 Referrals)(Total: 45 Gr. 10 Referrals)

Primary ‘At-Risk’ Primary ‘At-Risk’ FactorsFactors

# Students Referred # Students Referred

(as result)(as result)

Language BarrierLanguage Barrier 22

Learning DisabilityLearning Disability 0 ?0 ?

AttendanceAttendance 0 ?0 ?

Personal/Family Personal/Family IssuesIssues

1 ?1 ?

Effort/AttentivenessEffort/Attentiveness 1313

Trouble with Course Trouble with Course ContentContent

2929

A Graphical Display:A Graphical Display:(Data Distribution)(Data Distribution)

Language Barrier

Learning Disability

Attendance

Personal/Family

Work Ethic/Effort

Course Content

Students ‘At-Risk’ Across theStudents ‘At-Risk’ Across the BoardBoard

Math CourseMath Course # of Referrals# of Referrals

Math 10 EssentialsMath 10 Essentials 00

Math 10 FoundationsMath 10 Foundations 00

Math 10 PlusMath 10 Plus 3636

Math 10 AcademicMath 10 Academic 44

Math 10 Pre-IBMath 10 Pre-IB 55

Math 12Math 12 22

Math 11AcademicMath 11Academic 33

Math 11AMath 11A 66

Of the total 56 math referrals, 45 were Grade 10.

Why are Grade 10 Plus Math referrals so Prevalent?

Justification:Justification: Is there correlation Is there correlation

between between Misplacement and:Misplacement and:

(1) number of Gr.10 (1) number of Gr.10 Math courses? Math courses?

(2) Poor student success (2) Poor student success at interim, and poor at interim, and poor course selection?course selection?

Are we justified in Are we justified in linking these linking these variables?variables?

Let us look deeper:Let us look deeper:

An Interim Report of An Interim Report of 43% or above - 43% or above - Misplacement? (lots Misplacement? (lots of time to succeed)of time to succeed)

An Interim Report of An Interim Report of below 43% - true below 43% - true problems exist – problems exist – Misplacement? Misplacement? (perhaps)(perhaps)

Data Analysis:Data Analysis: Let’s look at the Let’s look at the

Interim Report Interim Report %’s of all those %’s of all those students “At-students “At-Risk”Risk”

Let’s examine the Let’s examine the data distribution data distribution to determine if a to determine if a correlation truly correlation truly exists:exists:

Majority of Majority of students students between: 40-55%between: 40-55%

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70

Bins – Interim %

More Data Analysis:More Data Analysis:

Looking at the Looking at the statistics:statistics:

The mean score The mean score for referred for referred Gr.10 students is Gr.10 students is 43.64% - 43.64% - An An Issue Does Exist Issue Does Exist HereHere

Possible Solutions this Possible Solutions this Issue:Issue:

Discussion around:Discussion around:(1) The number of Grade 10 Course options(1) The number of Grade 10 Course options

(2) (2) Course Selection and Placement:Course Selection and Placement:

Education for:Education for:

TeachersTeachers StudentsStudents ParentsParents

* Making Choices with regards to * Making Choices with regards to Mathematics and career pathwaysMathematics and career pathways

Your ChoicesYour Choices

Mathematics Essentials 10Mathematics Essentials 10 Mathematics 10 Pre IBMathematics 10 Pre IB Mathematics Foundations 10Mathematics Foundations 10 Math 10AC – SemesterMath 10AC – Semester

Charles P. Allen Grade 10 Mathematics Course Options:

Mathematics Pre IB 10Mathematics Pre IB 10 Designed to prepare students for demands Designed to prepare students for demands

of IB Math Programof IB Math Program

Academically driven students with strong Academically driven students with strong work ethic.work ethic.

Proven success in previous math coursesProven success in previous math courses

Extremely demanding / academically Extremely demanding / academically challenging environmentchallenging environment

Mathematics 10 – AcademicMathematics 10 – Academic Academic 10 Mathematics programAcademic 10 Mathematics program Pre-requisite: successful completion of Grade Pre-requisite: successful completion of Grade

9 Math with “Good to Excellent” 9 Math with “Good to Excellent” performance.performance.

Highly motivated students who:Highly motivated students who:- - are independent workers (nightly homework)are independent workers (nightly homework)- - can quickly learn new math conceptscan quickly learn new math concepts- - easilyeasily understands abstract concepts & understands abstract concepts &

algebraic algebraic procedural skills (high competency) procedural skills (high competency)- are highly organized and have proven - are highly organized and have proven

success in success in previous math courses previous math courses

Extremely demanding / academically Extremely demanding / academically challenging environmentchallenging environment

Mathematics Foundations Mathematics Foundations 1010

Students who have experienced difficulty in Students who have experienced difficulty in mathematics but have passed grade 9 Mathmathematics but have passed grade 9 Math

Gaps in math background affecting Gaps in math background affecting performanceperformance

Uncertain of their mathematical capabilitiesUncertain of their mathematical capabilities

May pursue careers outside of science/mathMay pursue careers outside of science/math- - many post-secondary opportunities open to this math many post-secondary opportunities open to this math

route – all secondary programs without math pr-route – all secondary programs without math pr-requisitesrequisites

Meets criteria for 1Meets criteria for 1stst of two math credits of two math credits required for graduationrequired for graduation

Math Essentials 10Math Essentials 10

Everyday math skills: payments, deductions, Everyday math skills: payments, deductions, taxes, banking transactions, budgeting, investing, taxes, banking transactions, budgeting, investing, borrowing, automotive transactions etc.borrowing, automotive transactions etc.

Students who are unsuccessful in grade 9 Students who are unsuccessful in grade 9 mathematicsmathematics

Practical life skills suitable for all studentsPractical life skills suitable for all students

Meets criteria for 1Meets criteria for 1stst of two math credits required of two math credits required for graduationfor graduation

Many post-secondary opportunities availableMany post-secondary opportunities available

SuggestedSuggested Math Routes in High Math Routes in High School:School:

Math Academic 10

Math Pre IB 10 Math Studies SL (IB)

Math SL (IB)

Math Advanced 11A/B

Math 11 Academic

GRADE 11

Math Advanced 11A/B

Math 11 Academic

SuggestedSuggested Math Routes in High Math Routes in High School: (continued)School: (continued)

Math Foundations 10

GRADE 11

Math Foundations 11

Math 10 Essentials Math Essentials 11

There are no There are no ‘‘Closed Closed DoorsDoors…’…’

University Programs Offered University Programs Offered withoutwithout Academic Academic Mathematics Pre-requisites Mathematics Pre-requisites

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Bachelor of Music

Bachelor of Community Design

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) (req. 1 yr. academic study under BA admission requirements)

Bachelor in Costume Studies

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts (BA)(BA)

Canadian StudiesCanadian Studies LatinLatin

Female StudiesFemale Studies FrenchFrench

PhilosophyPhilosophy HistoryHistory

SociologySociology Classical Stud. Classical Stud.

MusicMusic

Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Music

Therapy (BMT)Therapy (BMT) Certificate of Music Certificate of Music

Therapy (CMT)Therapy (CMT)

(BTH) Bachelor of (BTH) Bachelor of TheologyTheology

(BRM) Bachelor(BRM) Bachelor of Rec. Management (based (based on 1 yr. of university academic study in on 1 yr. of university academic study in BA program)BA program)

St. Mary’s UniversitySt. Mary’s University

Bachelor of Arts (BA)Anthropology Classics Philosophy

Criminology Economics Religious Studies

German Studies History Sociology

Female Studies Canadian Studies English

French Geography IDS

Linguistics

Bachelor of Arts (BA) – General StudiesCanadian Studies Philosophy Cultural Studies

Political Studies EnglishLinguistics

Religious Studies French Sociology / Anthropology

History Spanish Female Studies

Bachelor of Applied Arts - Child and Youth Studies

- Family Studies / Gerontology

Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality Management

Saint Thomas UniversityBachelor of Arts (BA)

Bachelor of Applied Arts in Gerontology (after 2 years in BA program based on BA admission req.)

Bachelor of Applied Arts in Criminal Justice (after 2 years in BA program based on BA admission requirements.)

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (after 2 years in BA program based on BA admission requirements.)

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) (after 1 university degree under BA admission requirements.)

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Bachelor of Music

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Human Kinetics

Applied Health Sciences

Bachelor of Recreation & Leisure Studies

(BREC) Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation

Bachelor of Arts

Environmental Studies;

Geography

IDS – International Development Studies

University of Toronto

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Music

Physical Education and Health

Career ChoicesCareer ChoicesAssuming aAssuming a Non-Academic Math PathwayNon-Academic Math Pathway

(Of 118 programs at NSCC, 113 have NO Math Pre-(Of 118 programs at NSCC, 113 have NO Math Pre-requisites)requisites)

Art, Culture, Recreation

Announcers / Broadcasters Reporter

Artisan / Craftsperson Vocalist / Musician

Camera Operators Reference Librarian

Digital Animator Recording Engineer

Lighting Technician Photographer

Media Relations Officer

Business, Finance, Administration

Bank Teller Book Keeper

Human Resource Manager Insurance Adjuster

Management Consultant Office Manager

Payroll Supervisor Secretary

Real-Estate AppraiserHealth

Continuing Care Assistant

Dental Assistant

Paramedic

Management

Broadcasting Station Manger

Police Chief

Department Store Manager

Advertising Executive

Natural and Applied Science

Architectural Drafter

Cartographer

Computer Programmer

Municipal Planner

Primary Industry

Greenhouse Worker Loader Operator – Logging

Vegetable Grower Trawler Captain

Fishing Vessel Deck-Hand Oil and Gas Well Drillers

Processing, Manufacturing, Utilities

Air Craft Parts Etcher Auto Assembly Worker

Industrial Meat Cutter Housing Assembler

Printing Press Operator

Sales and Service

Automobile Sales Associate Baker

Correctional Service Officer Firefighter

Early Childhood Educator Hairdresser

Social Sciences, Education, Gov’t Service, Religion

Sign Language Interpreter Legal Assistant

Minister Psychologist

School Teacher Social Worker

Sports / Recreation Fitness Consultant

Sport and Leisure

Recreation Manager (Youth Correction)

Recreation Coordinator (Senior Citizen Homes)

Leisure Educator

Recreation Therapist (Hospitals)

Recreation Program Coordinator (Prisons)

Camp Administrator (Outward Bound Schools)

Adventure Tourism

Ecotourism

Community Group Facilitator

Sport Animator

Sport Consultant

Facility Design

National / Provincial Park Employee

Sports Facility Administrators / Managers

Trades, Transport, Equipment Operators

And the Big One…

Automotive Service Tech. Boilermaker

Bricklayer Carpenter

Construction Electrician Farm Equipment Mechanic

Heavy Duty Equipment Tech. Industrial Technician

Iron Worker Plumbing Contractor

Railway Locomotive Engineer Tailors / Dressmakers

Water Well Driller Plumber

Motor Vehicle Body Repairer Power Engineer

Refrigeration / AC Mechanic Sheet Metal Worker

Steam Fitter / Pipe Fitter Truck & Transport Mech.

Welder Jeweller Mobile Crane Operator

Just a ‘few’ Just a ‘few’ Options for Post Secondary Options for Post Secondary InstitutionsInstitutions

Along this PathwayAlong this PathwayAtlantic Media Institute Highland Resources Limited

Academy of Cosmetology Island Career Academy

Academy of Learning Institute for Human Services Educ.

Atlantic School of Theology Maritime Business College

Breton Beauty College Conservatory of Performing Arts

CBBC Business College Maritime School of Para-medicine

College of Business, Tech., and Health NBCC

Compu-College School of Business Nova Scotia Agricultural College

Commercial Safety College NASCAD

Maritime School of Social Work NSCC

Holland College Nova Scotia Firefighter School

Hair Design Center Operating Engineers Investment Ltd.

Hair Masters Private Career College

Ryerson Polytechnical Institute St. Joseph’s College of Early Childhood Edu.

Even More Career OptionsEven More Career Options……

http://careeroptions.EDnet.ns.cahttp://careeroptions.EDnet.ns.ca

Sohael Abidi, Mathematics Leader / Coach

Charles P. Allen High School

Phone: (902) 832 – 8964

Email: abidis@staff.ednet.ns.ca

Further Questions/Follow-Up: