Chandler Unified School District is seeing the fruits of their labor with a reported increase in math scores following the implementation of a new teaching approach focused on student engagement known as 'enhanced math practices'. According to ABC15, the district has noted a significant 5-7% rise in test scores at the secondary level since the program's inception in the 2021-22 school year. These practices, grounded in active student participation, require learners to explain their problem-solving process to peers and engage with material beyond the traditional desk-based worksheet.
Teachers in Chandler's Santan Junior High algebra class, such as Melissa Stanley's, are applying the district terms as the five Es: engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate. This shift away from purely teacher-led instruction has made classrooms vibrant hubs of discussion and collaboration. "The kids have to be actively involved. Otherwise, in junior high, they’re going to sit back and put their feet up and be disengaged," Stanley told ABC15.
This move towards a more dynamic classroom environment is backed by research-focused professional development (PD) programs for educators. As outlined by BetterLesson, an effective PD program doesn't treat all teachers with identical techniques, acknowledging the necessity of a differentiated learning approach throughout the educational community.
Supporting teachers with a variety of in-person, virtual, and individual learning experiences helps to bridge the gap from theoretical understanding to practical application, creating a continuous cycle of improvement. A measurable goal guides every PD session, providing educators with clear next steps in their journey towards creating student-centered learning environments, with strategies and results measured by the data. "Professional learning experiences should end with clear next steps for educators to take," states the BetterLesson website, reflecting an emphasis on outcome-driven growth and accountability in educational practice.
Chandler Unified's proactive strategies have evidently not only stirred a math renaissance, with more awakened brains amidst the arithmetic, but they've also set a precedent for districts aiming for similar rejuvenation in their teaching methodologies. As both the students and teachers enthusiastically engage in this new paradigm of learning, the district continues to work on maintaining and furthering this momentum, forging ahead in the pursuit of educational excellence.
