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District presenters say applied‑math course produced high engagement and 0% failure rate in year one
Summary
Presenters at the Township of Ocean Board of Education meeting said a new applied‑math high‑school course showed strong student engagement and, as of marking period three, a 0% failure rate; the district will run two sections next year and the course uses hands‑on projects to connect math to real‑world problems.
Superintendent Waldron introduced a presentation on the high‑school applied‑math course and credited the teachers who developed it. Mr. Greg Colon, who led the briefing, said the course was designed to reach students who do not connect with traditional math instruction and to build problem‑solving skills "for life after high school." He credited Mr. Siciliano and Mr. Thompson for developing the curriculum over the last year.
"As of marking period three ... we are currently at a 0% failure rate," Mr. Colon said, which he attributed to higher student engagement and sustained expectations. He told the board the class uses collaborative, design‑based projects — examples included an outdoor measurement project (sprinkler/courtyard measurements), model bridge engineering projects, and a boat‑design capstone — that let students apply mathematics to authentic problems.
Mr. Colon said the class emphasizes mathematical reasoning, data analysis and design: students measured materials and costs for Home Depot trips, calculated loads in bridge projects and connected decisions to outcomes in the boat capstone. He said the course was not intended to be easier than other math offerings but to be more relevant and engaging.
During questions from board members, Mr. Colon confirmed the course is open enrollment for grades 11 and 12 and that the district plans to run two sections next year; the sections were not yet at full capacity. He described two pathways into the course for students coming from different prior math sequences.
Board members and audience members praised the course and teachers. Superintendent Waldron and trustees said the program complements district efforts to strengthen math instruction and cited the year‑end student events and publications as examples of broader student success.
The district did not present districtwide comparative test data tied directly to the course during this briefing; enrollment and grade distribution details beyond what was stated by Mr. Colon were not specified. The board moved on to the next scheduled presentation after brief public feedback from students and attendees.
