MATHEMATICS IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIC PLAN

GODFREY STEWART HIGH SCHOOL

SEPTEMBER 2018 - JULY 2019
MISSION: The Mathematics Department of Godfrey Stewart High School is committed to the teaching of mathematics and the communication of mathematical ideas and staff
members believe that both the assimilation of mathematical knowledge and the enhancement of ones' capacity for mathematical reasoning, are essential outcomes
to function effectively in the 21st century.

VISION: The development of a basic understanding of mathematics so that the learner will acquire knowledge, skills, competency, values and attitudes that are desired in a
secondary school leaver, which will make him and her a productive member in the society with emphasis on the work place.

OBJECTIVES:
1) To improve the quality and efficiency of lesson planning at all grade levels.
2) To establish an effective management system that governs and monitors the operations of the department.
3) To develop intervention programmes that will influence an improvement in the performance of the students
4) Increase the number of students in each grade level performing between 50 -100 % by 15 % point per annum
5) To introduce special projects and activities which will influence students’ interest in the subject

OBJECTIVE STRATEGY ACTIVITY INDICATOR(S) PERSON(S) TIMELINE RESOURCES BUDGET

RESPONSIBLE
 Departmental Planning meetings schedule for Weekly planning  Timetable Lesson plan template
planning meetings once per (Wednesdays) week meetings held. committee Thumb Drives (8 GB X 12)
scheduled on from 2:10 pm to 3:30 pm. Laptop
timetable. To  Head of On-Going Projectors
Improved meet as a First 45 minutes of planning Lesson planned and Department Photocopier/Ink
Lesson department to meeting used for grade teachers compiled before the  All Maths Printer/Ink
Planning create and vet to meet and discuss and plan beginning of the teachers Computer (x2)
lesson plans. lessons and schedule teaching lesson period.
aids if necessary.

OBJECTIVE STRATEGY ACTIVITY INDICATOR(S) PERSON(S) TIMELINE RESOURCES BUDGET

 RESPONSIBLE
 Revised Use the National Standard National Standard  Head of Printing resources :
curriculum for Curriculum as stipulated by the Curriculum and Department Printing paper (50 reams)
grades 7 – 9. Ministry of Education as the syllabuses compiled
curriculum is designed to include for each grade level
the foundation topics from including all topics.
CSEC syllabus; Computation, September
Number Theory, Consumer 2017- June
Arithmetic, Sets, Measurements, 2018
Statistics, Algebra, Topics are taught to  Head of
Trigonometry and Geometry. students by the end of Department
grade nine following  All Maths
the timeline of the Teachers
NSC.
 Utilize activities Plan activities for both advanced All students are  All Math Teaching Aids
Improved for differentiated and remedial students within the engaged and Teachers Charts
Lesson learning same group. participating in class Games
Planning activities. On-Going Computer Programmes
Videos
Graph boards
Geometry sets (x 100)
 Utilize activities Challenge students who perform Students are  All Math Brain teasers -
for different at the top of the group while challenged at their Teachers Challenge quizzes -
activities within ensuring that remedial students individual levels and Games -
the same group. are challenged and entertained at there is evidence of On-Going
their level. independent
reasoning.

 Standardized Give standardized tests every 6 – Standardized test  Head of Archives of standardized
Tests 8 weeks at each grade level. given every 6-8 Department tests
weeks.  Mathematics On-Going Printer
Grade Paper
Coordinators Photocopier
Record books (x 20)
STRATEGY ACTIVITY INDICATOR(S) PERSON(S) TIMELINE RESOURCES BUDGET
OBJECTIVE RESPONSIBLE
  Standardized Use data from standardized tests Reports generated  Head of
Tests as records of students’ from sms system after Department
performance at each grade level. each test and
discussed with
Grades will be put on the sms teachers on the way On-Going
system within three (3) weeks. forward.

Improved
 Keep Lesson All lesson plans will be kept in Lesson plans kept in  Head of Computers
Lesson an archive which can be an archive in the Filing Cabinet (x1)
Plan Archive Department
Planning accessed by all teachers for department office. Printer
future lessons. Teachers refer to  Designated On-Going Thumb Drives
archive for lesson delegates C.Ds (x 150)
Keep lesson plans from other plans.
institutions in archive as
reference material. Reference materials
kept in archive in
department office.

 Monitoring and Keep department meeting and Department meeting  HOD Break/Lunch and Planning
sensitisation of sensitisation session meeting and sensitisation  VP Time
staff prior to the beginning of the session held prior to
school year. Discuss the future the beginning of the On-Going GSHS Walkthrough
Establish of the department. school year. Instrument
Management
Systems Members of the department Evaluations conducted  HOD
observed at least twice per term for each department
(Walk through) member.

PERSON(S)
OBJECTIVE STRATEGY ACTIVITY INDICATOR(S) TIMELINE RESOURCES BUDGET
RESPONSIBLE
 Establish  Monitoring and Use data generated from staff Data used to develop  HOD Continuous Specialists Resource
Management sensitisation of observation to identify training training plan  Principal Personnel
Systems staff needs. Training sessions held
each term
Organise professional
development for department at
least once per term

 Implement Create grouping based on Students grouped  Head of Record Books

grouping based on students’ abilities using the within classes based Department Diagnostic tests
students’ ability. following bands: on their individual  Mathematics
70 – 100% abilities. Coordinators By September
40 – 69%  Examination 2018.
0 – 39% Committee

Intervention The following data should be Students grouped On-Going

Programme used to place students in bands: using GSAT and end
Grade 7 - GSAT data and of year results.
Diagnostic results
Grade 8 - Diagnostic results and
Grade 7 end of year
Grade 9 - Diagnostic results and
Grade 8 end of year

PERSON(S)
OBJECTIVE STRATEGY ACTIVITY INDICATOR(S) TIMELINE RESOURCES BUDGET
RESPONSIBLE
  Summer Enrol remedial students in Summer intervention  Principal Lunch, Textbooks,
Programme summer intervention programme  Head of July – August Stationery, Incentives,
programme. established. Parents Department 2018 Workbooks, Certificates
informed about  Math teachers Teaching resources
Parents will be informed of the intervention T-shirts, Teachers stipend
need for their child/children to programme. Merits/Awards
be a part of the intervention
programme.

Maintaining at least Once there is improvement in Grouping bands  Head of

20% of students the students’ performance, customized to Department - -
within the target expand target groups to accommodate more  All Math
groups accommodate more students. students within the Teachers
Intervention target groups. On-Going
Programme Bands may be expanded as
follows:
80 – 100 %
50 – 79 %
0 – 49%

 Developing Create diagnostic test for Students given  Head of Sample test -
Diagnostic Tools students entering school at the diagnostic tests before Department July – August Printing resources -
GSAT level so they can be the beginning of the  Examination 2018 Templates -
grouped into the different bands. school year. Committee
 Teachers

PERSON(S)
OBJECTIVE STRATEGY ACTIVITY INDICATOR(S) TIMELINE RESOURCES BUDGET
RESPONSIBLE
 Mathematics Mathematic classes should be Mathematics classes  Timetable - -
classes scheduled scheduled on the time table at scheduled in the committee By May 2018
 for specified periods which are conducive for mornings and just  Head of
periods. learning the subject. after lunch. Department
 Principal/Vice
Principal

 Enrol technology Each teacher uses the math room Maths room scheduled  Head of Interactive mathematics
in lessons. with technology at least once per developed to Department programmes/software -
week for each class. accommodate each By September Maths games -
teacher at least once 2018 Links to math websites -
per week for each
Intervention class.
Programme

 Team teaching Teachers share ideas and teach Teachers engaged in  All math On-Going
topics they are comfortable with, team teaching.  teachers
to other groups

 Peer teaching Students who have grasped Students engaged in  All math On-Going Workbooks -
concepts at the mastery level to peer teaching teachers Interactive games -
are allowed to tutor other  Students Textbooks -
students and teach some lessons
(math monitors)

PERSON(S)
OBJECTIVE STRATEGY ACTIVITY INDICATOR(S) TIMELINE RESOURCES BUDGET
RESPONSIBLE
  Ensuring lesson Hosting one mathematics Seminar held at least  Principal Interactive whiteboard
are focused on seminar per term by a guest once per term.  Vice Principal Remedial textbooks
concept presenter  Head of Texts for reading in the
development Department content
 Grade 10 and Workbooks
 Facilitate model Math Camp hosted for students 11 Maths By June 2019 Teaching Aides
sessions for in grade 10 and 11. Camp held. Teacher Specialist Resource
students hosted Personnel
by specialist

 Use Maths Give students brain teasers at the Catalogue developed

starters at the beginning at each class to
beginning of stimulate reasoning Starters used in at
Intervention each class least 80% of lessons.
Programme

 Increase the Post monthly math problem and Monthly problem  Math teachers Geometry sets (x 100)
number of provide incentives for students posted. Calculators (100)
students who are successfully able to On-Going Incentives
performing solve the problem. Notebooks
between 50 -100 Pens
% by 15 % point Excellence in mathematics
per annum badges

 Provide
opportunities to
improve
students’
problem solving
skills
PERSON(S)
OBJECTIVE STRATEGY ACTIVITY INDICATOR(S) TIMELINE RESOURCES BUDGET
RESPONSIBLE
PTA meeting which is held the Attendance at PTA  Principal/Vice Printed documents
Sensitizing Parent third Thursday of each month meetings held monthly Principal Stationary
Teacher Meeting and parents will be used to September
 sensitized parents about the  Head of 2018- May
Parental department plans & programmes Department 2019
Involvement and how to assist their child(ren)  Parents
in being a better Math student.  Mathematics
Coordinators

 Interschool Math Students from all grade levels Annual Math  Head of Trophies $30,000.00
Competition are engaged in Interschool Math Competition held in Department Certificates
Special Competition. second term of school  Mathematics September Gift baskets
Projects and year. Coordinators 2018 – April
Activities Students are allowed to compete 2019
within their grade level.

 Major Projects Students from each grade level Students complete and -
participate in a class present projects.  Mathematics March 2019 stationary
presentation/project during math Coordinators
week 2019 based on a topic  Students
learnt. This presentation/project
will contribute to their end of
year exam grade. Students receive a
grade that contribute
to their end of year
grade.

PERSON(S)
OBJECTIVE STRATEGY ACTIVITY INDICATOR(S) TIMELINE RESOURCES BUDGET
RESPONSIBLE
 College Day Students who are enrolled in Students from major  Principal/Vice September Incentives for the
different tertiary institutions are tertiary institutions are Principal 2018 – May participants
invited to educate students about invited to college day  Head of 2019 Refreshments
 the importance of Mathematics once per year. Department
and how it is utilized in different  All Math
career fields. Teachers

 Award Ceremony Students who have maintained a Students from each  Principal/Vice Award badges
for Outstanding high average and have achieved class have been Principal Certificate
Performance high grades on end of term and recognized and  Head of On-Going
end of year examination are awarded for Department
recognized and awarded. outstanding  All Math
performance in Teachers
Special Mathematics.
Projects and
Activities

Student's pictures
from each grade level
that maintained an  Head of
average of 80.0 in Department
their Mathematics end
of year exam will be
posted on the
Mathematics
Performance Board.

 Department Each Term the Mathematics Students and teachers  Head of Stationary
Theme Department will identify a theme will be engaged in Department Incentives for participants
which will allow for activities related to the  All Math
development of different theme for the term. Teachers On-Going
concepts as a result of the  Students
emphasis placed on the concept.

PERSON(S)
OBJECTIVE STRATEGY ACTIVITY INDICATOR(S) TIMELINE RESOURCES BUDGET
RESPONSIBLE
  Monthly The department will give a Brainteasers given on  Head of Incentives
Brainteaser monthly brainteaser to students a monthly basis to Department On-Going
and the first student who is able students during  Mathematics
to solve it wins a prize. Students devotion. Coordinators
are also allowed to challenge  Students
teachers with brainteasers.

Special  Fund Raising Internal mathematics DJ Successful DJ  Head of By June 2019

Projects and Event competition hosted by the competition and Department
Activities department. students more  Mathematics
enthused about Coordinators
Mathematics.  Students

Winners of the
Westmoreland Mathematics DJ internal competition
Competition representing the
school.