Wisconsin High School Mathematics

Welcome to the High School specific Math Ed Matters. Each month there will be a newsletter specifically dedicated to how districts, schools, and classrooms  are approaching high school math and STEM related courses.  The main focus will be how can we create mathematics courses and experiences with centering students in that work and being responsive to secondary and postsecondary aspirations of our students.  It will be important to consider the many aspects of their lives that will rely on understanding and using mathematics.  The work in high school will always be grounded in our 2021 Wisconsin Standards of Mathematics as they provide a common set of expectations, and to some extent progressions of learning, for K-8 grades and three years of high school. This newsletter will seek to capture the many ways that we can and are working together locally, statewide, and nationally. We are so glad you are here!

Dana Center Launch Years Initiative

Wisconsin has a team that represents different aspects of creating and innovating high school and post-secondary mathematics programs, structures and systems participating in the Launch Years Initiative through the Dana Center.   Our collaborative efforts bring together K-12 mathematics, higher education, academic/career counseling and CESAs to consider how best to engage students in meaningful and standards aligned instruction. The Wisconsin team recently attended a Launch Years Initiative  conference filled with two days of learning.  This year’s team is co-led by Mary Mooney, DPI, and Lisa Hennessey, Universities of Wisconsin.  There is representation from Jennifer Lawler(Kenosha Unified and Wisconsin Math Council), Matt Chedister(UW-LaCrosse),  Tina Lemmens(CESAs), and Jessica Sloan(DPI, CTE and Data Specialist). Stay tuned to learn more about the members, the work, and how we can collaborate.

Wisconsin’s Approach to Continuous Improvement

The state landscape of high school mathematics is one that allows flexibility for districts to be responsive to the unique needs of their students, their families, and their communities.  It is important in Wisconsin that this work to improve access to high level mathematics uses continuous improvement processes that center our students.   This newsletter will provide resources, services, knowledge and partnerships in this work as often the work is best approached collaboratively and with critical friends.   The Wisconsin Multi-Level Systems of Support is an important first step in learning how to build out a plan that best fits the needs of the district. 

At the state level, data has suggested that there are three places in high school mathematics course sequences that might be a starting point in the work.  Those areas are the first year of high school, often an Algebra course, a third credit of mathematics, or a fourth credit of mathematics, usually where schools can consider a number of options in dual credit, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, or other courses that go beyond the Wisconsin standards.

Each month the resources or opportunities will take into account at least one of these areas and will rely on how these courses use the 2021 Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics.

Wisconsin WISELearn

There is a Mathematics Hub in WISELearn that serves to be a repository for standards aligned resources and professional learning that can be an important place for educators to learn from one another.  This can be accomplished by sharing resources or using the discussion feature. Consider joining the high school group and joining us on the journey; we are just getting started!   There you will find a College Readiness statement supporting our standards along with some professional learning from our colleagues about the critical components and how they support students in engaging in mathematics that goes beyond skills and courses.