The Mathematics Network of Improvement Communities (Math NIC) offers nine free prototype tools to help schools and districts effectively organize for improvement, support teaching and learning and communicate with parents and communities. The tools are designed to be flexible and adaptable, address critical issues and be easy to use in order to meet the needs of individual school districts.
The Math NIC is a collection of district administrators, principals, mathematics coaches and teachers representing ten school districts and professional organizations. With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the NIC team convened in 2015 to identify challenges to the improvement of their mathematics programs. The NIC design group then collaborated with the districts to design nine prototype tools.
The tools look at the essentials of an issue, so that participants can focus on challenges and options for making progress. Each tool consists of downloadable materials primarily designed to provide detailed support for a workshop-style session, typically lasting 90-120 minutes. Partner districts have piloted the tools, which are now ready for broader use, but they are far from polished or in final form. The Math NIC hopes you will find some of the tools useful and will try them with your school district. It welcomes any feedback you can provide on how to improve the tools. Contact the Math NIC for further information, to give feedback and for possible partnerships.
Adaptable tools for school and district leaders
- Teaching Mathematics for Robust Understanding: What makes a mathematically powerful classroom?
- Program Coherence Health Check: How well do our various drivers support policy for mathematics?
- Designing Professional Development: How can we make PD more effective?
- Formative Assessment: What is it, and how can it improve teaching and learning?
- World Class Mathematics for Parents: What is it and what does it mean for my child?
- Lesson Study for Professional Development: How can teachers develop their expertise?
- Mathematical Practices: What does it mean to "think mathematically"?
- Developing Mathematical Proficiency: What kinds of activities help students grow mathematically?
- Observing Mathematics Lessons: What should we focus on, and how?