Math Task Force Implements New Strategies for Elementary to High School Success
October 03, 2025 | North Hills SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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The North Hills School District held a School Board Committee Meeting on October 2, 2025, focusing on updates from the math task force and professional development initiatives for teachers. The meeting began with a report on the task force's recent activities, which included a meeting on September 8 where various educational goals were established for different school levels.
At the elementary level, the task force emphasized the use of tools like Acadience and iReady to gather student data, allowing for tailored instruction. Notably, math interventionists are now working with kindergarten and first-grade students for the first time, aiming to address early math challenges and prevent skill gaps from widening. Teachers reported significant improvements in student confidence and skills due to daily instructional routines focusing on foundational skills such as fact fluency and number sense.
The middle school highlighted the importance of accurate student scheduling based on data to prevent growing math gaps. Challenges identified included open-ended responses and specific content areas like expressions and equations. The school is utilizing tools such as Firefly and Study Island to support student learning and offers daily math help during lunch and homeroom.
At the high school level, curriculum revisions were discussed, including the introduction of new geometry textbooks and a full-year statistics course, which has garnered significant student interest. The high school is also conducting data analysis meetings to ensure students understand the underlying concepts of mathematics, particularly in preparation for the Algebra 1 Keystone exams. Additionally, math help is now available every period, responding to requests from parents and students.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on the professional development planned for teachers throughout the year, aimed at enhancing instructional practices across the district. Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to improving math education and supporting students at all levels.
At the elementary level, the task force emphasized the use of tools like Acadience and iReady to gather student data, allowing for tailored instruction. Notably, math interventionists are now working with kindergarten and first-grade students for the first time, aiming to address early math challenges and prevent skill gaps from widening. Teachers reported significant improvements in student confidence and skills due to daily instructional routines focusing on foundational skills such as fact fluency and number sense.
The middle school highlighted the importance of accurate student scheduling based on data to prevent growing math gaps. Challenges identified included open-ended responses and specific content areas like expressions and equations. The school is utilizing tools such as Firefly and Study Island to support student learning and offers daily math help during lunch and homeroom.
At the high school level, curriculum revisions were discussed, including the introduction of new geometry textbooks and a full-year statistics course, which has garnered significant student interest. The high school is also conducting data analysis meetings to ensure students understand the underlying concepts of mathematics, particularly in preparation for the Algebra 1 Keystone exams. Additionally, math help is now available every period, responding to requests from parents and students.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on the professional development planned for teachers throughout the year, aimed at enhancing instructional practices across the district. Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to improving math education and supporting students at all levels.
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