NEW INFORMATION: Parent Training Session to be held on Tuesday, October 12, at 6:30pm. Click the button for more information or to sign up.
Dear FRCS Elementary Families,
As you know, we implemented a new math curriculum this fall. As with anything new, there have been growing pains and a bit of frustration for parents and students alike.
As parents and teachers, we have the unique privilege of helping students walk through the ups and downs of academic life. Perhaps learning of the rational and thorough process of curriculum selection will help you encourage your child as they adjust to this new way of thinking about Math.
Over the course of the past two year, we determined that our former Saxon Math program was not effective because it did not align with state standards. This situation was problematic for new students entering our school and students who transfer to other schools. According to the 2019 PSAT scores from the class of 2024, 22% of the students met the standards, 11% were approaching the standards, and 67% needed to strengthen their math skills. In mid-year of 2019, according to the Acadience Math assessment, on average only 50% of our elementary students were at benchmark or above. The elementary staff had received targeted teacher training on effective math instruction and had focused on mathematics as a yearly goal, but we were still not seeing the improvements that we had hoped.
A team of elementary and junior high teachers and learning specialists served as a Math Curriculum Review Committee. These educators analyzed our math scores from various standardized tests and investigated several new math curriculum options. As a result of these efforts, they proposed that Front Range Christian Kindergarten and Elementary School purchase iReady Classroom Mathematics workbooks for students and digital access to iReady Classroom teacher materials. Out of the many options available, they selected iReady Classroom Mathematics because it is highly rated in grades K-6 by Edreports.org, its format allows teachers to differentiate, and it is cost effective. Furthermore, Ready Classroom Mathematics closely aligns with the effective teaching practices defined by The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Again, we know this change has been challenging for many students, but we appreciate your patience and confidence as we work together to accomplish our goal of training and equipping our children to make an impact in the world.
Sincerely,
Jill Hart
Interim Elementary Principal
Front Range Christian School
