  |
| |
NYSUT teams with College Board on curriculum
Sept. 22, 2005 Kay Sole of NYSUT and David Carmody of the College Board discuss the College Board partnership with ELT instructors. The statewide union's Education and Learning Trust is tackling the minority student achievement gap and the adjustment of teachers to new statewide math standards this fall. ELT and the College Board, the New York-based, not-for-profit organization that oversees Advanced Placement courses and SAT exams, have signed an agreement designed to bring NYSUT members "vertical teaming" courses on the College Board's concept. The College Board tailored this program to encourage teachers of the same subject from different grade levels to collaboratively align curriculum to increase student success through the AP level. Minority students often are under-represented in AP courses. Vertical teaming prepares minority students to succeed in AP classes. "NYSUT is pleased to partner with a respected organization like the College Board on such an important endeavor," said Maria Neira, vice president of New York State United Teachers. "We are making sure every student in New York receives a world-class education, and that historically under-represented groups get every chance to succeed. The vertical teaming program is a step in the right direction." This summer, 35 ELT instructors completed a rigorous program led by College Board trainer David Carmody and became the first NYSUT class certified by the College Board to offer vertical training in world languages, math, science, social studies and English. One of the certified ELT instructors is Lynda Deluca, president of the Endicott Teachers Association, near Binghamton , who has been active in helping Endicott teachers adjust to new federal and state standards. "Vertical teaming is crucial to making the new standards work," Deluca said. As with many programs offered by ELT, vertical teaming can be initiated at the local level. If a NYSUT local is able to assemble 10 members interested in the training, ELT will send an instructor to the district. Math workshops Another ELT emphasis this fall is training on statewide math standards. Last spring, the Board of Regents changed the structure of math instruction in New York at all grade levels and required that students begin learning certain concepts at earlier grade levels. ELT is offering a series of hands-on, interactive workshops designed to instruct teachers on best practices for meeting the new standards, including: New Math Standard Awareness; Problem Solving in Thinking Math; Target Algebra for Grades 5-6; Target Algebra for Grades 7-8; Target Geometry for Grades K-8; Target Number Sense and Operations for Grades K-8; Target Measurement; and Target Statistics. "ELT understands that there is a great deal of concern about the new math standards, and these workshops will be effective in getting teachers up to speed," said Rosemarie Rosen, manager of ELT. — Kevin Hart |
| |
| | ||
