Plans for 1998-1999 include the development of an assessment booklet for grades 3 and 6. Underway is the development of a book for parents of grade 7 students. Collaboration continues with the Maryland Assessment Consortium on the material development at all levels. A dinner meeting in September which included participants indicated that there are approximately 19 school buildings in grades 7 and 8 involved with approximately 350 students. This represents a significant increase over previous years.
Plans are underway to provide a recognition day for participating schools.
A four day training program for middle school teachers. The training program focuses on the essential components of middle school mathematics as advocated by the NCTM Standards and the Michigan Curriculum Framework. We are currently developing a course called Data Analysis and Research Methods for 9th graders at the Utica Science Center. One of the highlights of this course is an introduction to Statistical Design of Experiments, a multivariable approach to experimental design used in industry today. Feedback from students and parents indicate an excellent reception of this course.