Trenton middle school students awarded for math successes
Several classes of eighthgrade students attending four Trenton middle schools have advanced their math education careers with support from Educational Testing Services.
For the last two years, ETS engaged middle schools at Rivera, Joyce Kilmer, Hedgepeth-Williams, and Grace A. Dunn with a cooperative Mathematics Learning Challenge which focuses on cultivating mathematical skills critical for college and careers.
The competition includes prizes for winning teams and teachers with the first awards distributed to a Joyce Kilmer class last Friday.
“Math involves many aspects of life and we try to connect their lives with numbers. We have entered the pre-Algebra world. It’s challenging but that’s a good thing,” said Joyce Kilmer math teacher, Dana Lakins. Her class won top prize in the Mathematics Learning Challenge.
Lenora Green, executive director for the ETS Center for Advocacy and Philanthropy (CAAP) joined colleague Elizabeth Marquez, research project manager in student and teacher research.
Trenton Board of Education President Gene Bouie offered remarks. “I’m thrilled about what you have been able to achieve,” Bouie praised.
Green followed, underscoring accomplishments made by Joyce Kilmer students “as individuals and as teams involved in the Mathematics Learning Challenge.”
ETS staff developed the Cognitively Based Assessment of, for and as Learning (CBAL) program created to foster collaborative learning in the classroom.
“We believe that these kind of activities are helpful since they can tell you what you have learned and point out areas where you can learn more. They can also give your teachers information about how they can help you sharpen your skills, and they can show policymakers where they need to focus their attention,” Green explained.
Each student in the highestscoring class at each school received a $25 gift card while the teacher received a payment of $250 for professional development activities that occurred after school hours and for providing detailed feedback on each aspect of the Challenge.
Each school received a check for $200 upon completion of the Challenge.