Boosting Algebra 1 Grades by over 20 points at a low-income school through heightened challenge and teamwork
West Jones High School (WJHS) in Mississippi has seen a significant improvement in Algebra 1 student achievement scores thanks to the implementation of the Math Nation program.
In 2016, Algebra 1 was introduced with new college- and career-readiness standards by the state department of education. The textbook used at WJHS was old and did not meet the new standards' requirements. To address this, the teacher supplemented the district's textbook with the Math Nation program, a supplemental program funded by the Mississippi Legislature for Mississippi public schools.
The Math Nation platform offers guided lesson notes, lesson videos, practice, activities, and assessments that align with the state standards. The teacher uses the platform every day with fidelity, utilizing every component to ensure student buy-in.
One key approach to implementing Math Nation effectively is to follow the program as designed consistently across classrooms. At WJHS, this is achieved by implementing Math Nation with fidelity, ensuring protocols for observation and reflection among teachers to maintain consistent quality in delivery.
Another approach is to leverage Math Nation’s digital resources. The program offers interactive tools and lessons aligned with state standards to engage students actively, helping them understand not just procedures but underlying math principles.
The teacher also incorporates manipulatives and the CRA (Concrete, Representational, Abstract) approach to ensure all students use tools effectively to deepen their understanding of algebraic concepts, taught through concrete representations moving toward abstract ideas.
Providing professional development for teachers is also crucial. Continuous training focused on both the content and pedagogy required by Math Nation improves teacher confidence and effectiveness, critical for successful implementation.
The teacher collaborates with colleagues outside of the weekly Algebra PLC meetings to discuss student performance, share teaching strategies, and brainstorm ideas. The Algebra PLC meeting, held weekly at WJHS, provides a platform for the teacher to continue these collaborative discussions.
A common assessment is conducted every nine weeks across the district to monitor student progress. The results of the common assessment are used to identify areas where intervention is needed. The teacher uses data from the common assessment to drive decisions and improve student learning.
The use of the Math Nation platform has led to a significant increase in Algebra 1 proficiency rates at WJHS. In the 2017-18 school year, the Algebra 1 proficiency rate at WJHS jumped to 59%, representing a gain of 22 percentage points. The teacher's students' proficiency numbers in Algebra 1 increased from 38% in 2017 to 66% in 2018 and have been climbing ever since.
In the 2024 Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP), 75% of WJHS students scored at the proficient level or above in Algebra 1, exceeding the state average and district's other high schools' rates. The teacher's students are engaged and have gained confidence in their abilities due to success in a rigorous Algebra 1 class.
The teacher emphasizes meeting students where they are and building from there to improve learning outcomes. By combining effective strategies such as ensuring fidelity of implementation, integrating research-based instructional practices, and using targeted digital tools and assessments for ongoing feedback, WJHS has successfully improved student achievement and success in algebra.
- The Math Nation platform, implemented at West Jones High School, offers resources such as guided lesson notes, videos, practice activities, and assessments that align with the new college- and career-readiness standards.
- To maintain consistent quality in delivery, the teacher at WJHS uses the Math Nation program every day with fidelity, incorporating manipulatives and the CRA approach to ensure all students deepen their understanding of algebraic concepts.
- Continuous professional development for teachers, focused on both content and pedagogy, is crucial for successful implementation of Math Nation, which helps improve teacher confidence and effectiveness.
- The common assessment conducted every nine weeks across the district provides data to identify areas for intervention and helps the teacher at WJHS make decisions to improve student learning, contributing to increased Algebra 1 proficiency rates at WJHS.
