High School Mathematics Materials Adoption Process (2008-2009)

Adoption Process Key Dates
Adoption Committee Selection Process
Adoption Committee
Instructional Materials Committee (IMC)
Mathematics Materials Finalists
Mathematics Materials Recommendations
Screening Tools
State Rankings of High School Mathematics Materials
Public Review, Student Focus Group, and Site Visits
Publisher Notification

Adoption Process Key Dates

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Adoption Committee Application and Selection Process

Application Process

The high school mathematics materials adoption committee is made up primarily of mathematics teachers. Family and community members can provide valuable insight and perspective regarding the materials the committee considers, and thus are also included on this committee.

We reached out to mathematics teachers and school staff through Principal Communicator and emails to mathematics department chairs, who forwarded them to their colleagues.

We reached out to potential family/community volunteers through established family and community partnerships, including the School Family Partnerships Advisory Committee, PTSA, School Beat, Community Parents for Public Schools, and community-based organizations. Our original turnaround time for the family/community application was too short; based on parent feedback, we extended the deadline to November 10.

The goal was to develop a committee representing a wide range of skills, knowledge, experience and working style, reflecting diversity in race/ethnicity, gender, school/student population representation, and perspectives. We asked that potential applicants bring an open mind, with passion about student learning in mathematics, and avoid approaching the process with a specific textbook or set of materials in mind.

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Committee Selection

The staff applications were blind-screened and scored by three instructional services staff member and one central administrator, and family/community applications were blind-screened and scored by parent, family engagement, and instructional services representatives. “Blind screening” means names and identifying information were removed; screening was based on responses to application questions, including experience, school and geographic representation, student population representation, and school involvement (for family/community applications).

After the applications were reviewed and scored, a mathematics instructional services coach recorded and averaged the scores, then ranked the applicants based on the average scores. The Mathematics Program Manager and math coach reviewed the scores.

For staff members, we reviewed the applicants’ committee interest (Core or Advanced Math) and placed ranked applicants with their first choice as much as possible. We sought to have representation from as many schools as possible, and to limit ourselves to no more than two teachers per school on any one committee. The staff group selected includes representatives from all but one of the comprehensive high schools, a representative from an alternative K – 8, and representatives from Special Education, English Language Learners, and Advanced Learning.

Three family/community members were selected, including two for the Core committee and one for the Advanced Math committee. The family members chosen have children at Ballard, Garfield, Meany and Whitman. All have experience either tutoring, volunteering, or supporting Seattle students. They include an architect, a pre-college program volunteer, and a professor of mathematics and mathematics education.

We are pleased that both staff and family/community representatives have experience in a wide range of schools across the district, representing diverse student populations and geographical areas.

We appreciate the time all of the applicants took to apply. The family and community pool included many individuals who have given much time and support to schools and students, and the staff pool included a wide range of teachers who were willing to give extra time to this work.

There will be an additional opportunity for input from staff, family, students, and community members. From February 9 – 27, we will hold a public review of the top three materials selected by each committee. During that time, a student focus group (made up of 8 – 10 students from different high schools, with varying mathematics experiences and perspectives) will convene to provide input about the top three materials.

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Adoption Committee

On November 25, the Instructional Materials Committee (IMC) approved the following members of the High School Mathematics Materials Adoption Committee:

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Publisher Notification

When the funds for a scheduled adoption are identified, the Professional Library/Textbook Office contacts the regional textbook publishers association, WOATRA/ the Washington Oregon Alaska Textbook Representatives Association. At the direction of the Adoption Coordinator, we announce in the WOATRA newsletter the subject, grade level(s) and general parameters of what instructional materials we intend to adopt. We also identify the approximate date we intend to come to our final decision. In addition, if a publisher who is not a member of WOATRA contacts the Textbook Office, we send them the same information we supplied to WOATRA.

Publishers are requested to submit three copies of any instructional materials they want to come under consideration for adoption. Materials are sent ONLY to the Professional Library/Textbook Office Seattle Public Schools Stanford Center 22-636 PO Box 34165 2445 3rd Av S Seattle, WA 98124 . The contact person is Carol Sword (206) 252-0227 or csword@seattleschools.org.

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Instructional Materials Committee (IMC)

The Instructional Materials Committee (IMC) is led by Carol Sword, Instructional Materials Specialist. The committee includes building and district administrators. Their role in a materials adoption process is to review, revise and/or approve the proposed process, timeline, committee, criteria, and selected materials. Please contact Carol Sword for more information about the IMC.

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Screening Tools

Materials adoption committees develop initial and comprehensive criteria. The comprehensive criteria is a longer and more in-depth document that is used to review the top three choices. The initial criteria is a shorter version of the longer document, and is used to screen all of the materials submitted by publishers, in order to narrow down to the top three. All members of the mathematics adoption committees (both core and advanced) have input into the criteria. They review criteria from other districts, identify potential criteria, share their lists of criteria, review and comment on their colleagues’ criteria, and ultimately reduce the criteria to a workable list. The criteria will include the following categories: Assessment, Cultural Relevance, Content, Pedagogy, Student Needs, and Teacher Tools and Resources. These criteria will be posted in early January, upon approval from the Instructional Materials Committee (IMC).

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State Rankings of High School Mathematics Materials

OSPI and the State Board of Education are currently in the process of ranking high school mathematics materials based on how well the materials align with the new state mathematics standards (Performance Expectations). The preliminary rankings are expected in early January, and the final rankings are due no later than January 31. Our high school mathematics adoption committees will give weight to these rankings, during the screening, narrowing, and final selection process for Seattle students. Washington State Comprehensive Instructional Materials Review Information (grades 9 – 12)

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Public Review, Student Focus Group, and Site Visits

Once the Core and Advanced Math committees have identified their top three choices of mathematics materials, these materials will be available at the John Stanford Center for public review. Students, school staff, family, and community members will be able to review the materials and write comments for the committees’ consideration as they begin the final review process.

After the public review process has taken place, committee members will meet with panels of teachers who have used the finalist materials (either in or out of district) that are currently using one of the top three choices.

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Updated: April 24, 2009