home

=
South Dakota Counts is a focused statewide professional development program designed to build broad-based expertise and leadership for improving elementary mathematics instruction. South Dakota Counts will leave the statewide educational community with a cadre of very skilled professionals to serve as resources and trainers in the ongoing effort to improve mathematics instruction. We are beginning year three of a 3-year Phase II. ======

During Phase III, South Dakota Counts will:

 * 1) Provide training for new mathematics teacher leaders.
 * 2) Provide training for continuing mathematics teacher leaders.
 * 3) Support work in each participating district to train additional teachers.

**RATIONALE**
The research is clear that a skilled teacher is th most important factor in improvig student learning. South Dakota Counts is designed to deepen and broaden teachers'knowledge base about mathematics content, mathematics pedagogy, and student mathematical thinking. South Dakota Counts will provide teachers an opportunity to experience "best practices" in teaching mathematics. tHis will include constructivist instructional practices that promote mathematical reasoning, discourse, and conceptual understanding for all students.  ‍** PROGRAM SPECIFICS **

‍ Math Specialist in each ESA:

 * K-12 Math Specialist Endorsement
 * Supports the work of the Math Teacher Leaders at the district level by:
 * Providing professional development focused on the pedagogy of teaching and learning math
 * Coaching/mentoring and modeling for the classroom teacher consisting of a pre-conference, classroom work, and post-conference on a monthly basis
 * Communicating with building principals about progress.
 * Providing support for the school professional development

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">‍ New Elementary Math Teacher Leaders in each school district:
====<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">‍New Math Teacher Leaders in Phase II will receive university level classroom work equal to 12 credits over the three years of the project. The content of the training will be centered on mathematics content (during the summer), mathematics pedagogy, student mathematical thinking, and educational leadership. Once their training is complete, they will have most of the credits necessary to qualify for the new math specialist degree approved by the board of regents. All training, coaching, credits, summer institute costs, and $800 worth of materials are provided to the math teacher leaders over the 3 years. ====

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Each Math Teacher Leader will be expected to attend all summer institutes and training embedded throughout the school year, practice the new pedagogy and understanding of math in the classroom with their students, and meet with the principal and math specialist to discuss progress. <span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Summer Training for new teacher leaders:**
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Year 1 - July 9-13, 2012 - completed - Foundations, BHSU
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Year 2 - June 10-14, 2013 - to be completed - Algebraic Thinking, DSU
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Year 3 - June 9-13, 2014 - to be completed - Geometric Thinking, BHSU
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Year 3 - June 2015 - to be completed - Leadership in Mathematics, location to be announced


 * <span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Summer Training for new teacher leaders: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Year 1 - 2012-2013 School Year - in process - Understanding Student Thinking in Number & Operations
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Year 2 - 2013-2014 School Year - to be completed - Understanding Student Thinking in Algebra
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Year 3 - 2014-2015 - to be completed -Understanding Student Thinking in Measurement and Geometry


 * <span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Summer Training for continuing teacher leaders: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Year 1 - June, 2013 - to be completed - Assessment for School mathematics Focus: Numbers & Operations
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Year 2 - June 2014 - to be completed - History of Rational Numbers: Mathematics Focus
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Year 3 - June 2015 - to be completed - Data Analysis & Probability for K-12 Educators

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** Embedded Training :**
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Will take place in large group
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Costs of materials and credits are covered
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Meet with the math specialist through in-class coaching sessions throughout the school year
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Occasional evening meetings – face to face
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Share information and new ideas with principals
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">On-site classroom observations and content / cognitive coaching sessions
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Teacher leaders will provide a demonstration classroom for other teachers in district
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Provide building-based training to additional classroom teachers in their district


 * <span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Continuing Teacher Leaders **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Complete all courses necessary to receive the K-12 Math Specialist Certification - during the summer and school year
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Continue coursework to build their teaching expertise
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Support other teachers in their buildings as they begin to use CGI and the inquiry approach to teaching mathematics
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Provide professional development for other teachers in their buildings

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">‍** Role and Expectations of the Elementary Principals: **
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Support the math teacher leader
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Support the sustainability of the grant

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">The participating school district will:

 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Provide support to all staff participating in the project.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Create and sustain a partnership with the grant awardee.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Provide information and data to the grant awardee, external evaluator or state entity upon request for purposes of evaluating, documenting implementation of the grant, and reporting.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Assure good faith commitment and support of the administration and the school board in the development and implementation of proposed activities.