Mathematics Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to the TEA mathematics newsletter!
Below you will find information related to the following topics.
As a courtesy to our readers, the following additional information has been included.
- The Scalability, Capacity, and Learning Engagement (SCALE) Project: Get Paid to Use an Evidence-Based Intervention at Your School
Sign up today to attend a focus group for the Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) rubrics
House Bill 1605 (88th Texas Legislature, Regular, 2023) requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to develop rubrics in consultation with and approved by the State Board of Education that will be used to evaluate the quality of instructional materials.
TEA was directed by the SBOE to develop rubrics for K–8 English language arts and reading, K–6 Spanish language arts and reading, and K–12 mathematics. TEA is seeking your feedback on the draft IMRA rubrics and is hosting focus groups for educators, education service centers, and publishers. If you would like to attend, please register for one of the sessions below.
Educator Focus Groups
2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST): Thank a teacher
Tell an experienced teacher that they are doing work worthy of national recognition.
The 2023–2024 nomination and application windows for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program are now open. Teachers of grades K–6 mathematics and science are encouraged to apply. The PAEMST awards are the nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The nomination window is open. Teachers may be nominated for the award or may apply themselves at www.paemst.org. If you know great teachers, encourage them to join this prestigious network of professionals. In Texas, eligible teachers who submit a completed application by the application deadline will receive 25 continuing professional education (CPE) hours.
2024 PAEMST REVIEWERS SOUGHT
We are currently accepting applications for reviewers for the 2023–2024 PAEMST award cycle.
This year, the program is recognizing grades K–6 teachers who teach mathematics, science, computer science, engineering, or technology. We are looking for reviewers with expertise in these fields. Further, as STEM instruction in Texas serves a wide variety of populations, and we have already received applications from teachers who teach emergent bilingual students, we also need reviewers who understand Spanish or another language other than English.
Historically, we have sought out district personnel, mathematics consultants, content specialists, or administrators. Through the years, we have come to realize that this is a terrific opportunity for people who are curious about the award, are eager to see examples of high-quality teaching in action, may not be eligible yet, or want to expand their horizons.
TEA will provide training in early January. Reviews will be done over the internet between February 9 and March 4, 2024. Typically, reviewers receive five applications and can work through them on their own schedule within this window.
Mathematics Achievement Academy Update
Mathematics Achievement Academies is a powerful learning experience for mathematics educators in Texas to improve their instructional practice by using research-based instructional strategies developing number sense, mathematical reasoning, problem solving, and algebraic readiness for all learners. The Academies are a critical component in meeting the Effective Schools Framework Lever 5.1 Professional Development for Effective Classroom Instruction.
 “When surveyed on a scale of 1-10 for how likely participants would recommend this training to a colleague, the average score was 9.”
“Sometimes I attend training that just affirms my thinking, this is a training that challenged me to become a better teacher. I loved it!”
“The content was intense but solid and affirming. It will help me be very intentional with purpose and bridge it all together for my students."
For all statewide Mathematics Achievement Academy session dates and times, please contact your regional Education Service Center. For other questions, please email academies@tea.texas.gov.
ESTAR/MSTAR Assessment and 2023-2024 Testing Windows
The Elementary School Students in Texas: Algebra Ready (ESTAR) and Middle-School Students in Texas: Algebra Ready (MSTAR) Universal Screener and Diagnostic Assessments are two components of a complete instructional system in mathematics education that are provided by the Texas Education Agency without cost to school districts and charter schools. In combination with high-quality instructional materials and on-going educator professional learning, the ESTAR and MSTAR assessments provide strategic information to target concepts and skills that are leveraged to improve student outcomes.
The ESTAR/MSTAR Assessments target algebra readiness skills. It is known that success in Algebra is essential for success in higher mathematics and post-secondary STEM careers. The assessments indicate student understanding of positive whole and rational numbers, variables, expressions, and equations.
For grades 2–8, the universal screener helps to identify students that are on track as well as students needing strategic and intensive support. Students identified as needing support are given the diagnostic assessment to identify their areas of strength and specific need along a learning progression within algebraic concepts. This information can be used to develop plans of support and measures of growth. The middle of year and end of year assessments can be used to monitor progress and make adjustments to student plans of instruction.
The fall assessment window closes in October. The next window opens in January. For more information on the ESTAR and MSTAR Assessments, visit https://www.texasgateway.org/resource/estarmstar.
As a courtesy to our readers, the following additional information has been included.
The Scalability, Capacity, and Learning Engagement (SCALE) Project: Get Paid to Use an Evidence-Based Intervention at Your School
Is your campus in need of a math intervention plan? Are your 4th-grade students struggling to reach success?
Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Austin are looking for Grade 4 teachers who want to improve their students’ understanding of fractions. Teachers will use an evidence-based intervention called Fraction Face-Off! The intervention consists of 36 lessons, each about 30 minutes, that are implemented 2–3 times a week, supporting the improvement of students’ fraction knowledge and math outcomes.
The SCALE Project hopes to provide this research-based tool to educators on your campus and provide support to them (either in person or virtually) to use it as a Tier 2 small-group intervention. Participation requires no payment from the district, provides financial compensation to all participating teachers, and places an evidence-based intervention in the classroom to build students’ confidence and knowledge in math.
The Scalability, Capacity, and Learning Engagement (SCALE) project is a five-year study of Fraction Face-Off (FFO) to determine the extent to which FFO improves fraction knowledge and math outcomes of students experiencing moderate mathematics difficulty. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and in partnership with The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Missouri, Research in Mathematics Education (RME) is conducting randomized controlled trials in grades 4-8, using FFO as a small group math intervention.
If you are interested in learning more about how Project SCALE can benefit the teachers and students on your campus, please send an email to scalefractions@smu.edu with your name, district and/or campus, and role.
Thank you for your commitment to serving Texas students.
Mathematics Team
Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
curriculum@tea.texas.gov
(512) 463-9581
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