Three schools in the Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District will be receiving the state’s help with math education starting this month.
Claudine Brown Elementary, Leflore County Elementary and Amanda Elzy Junior High schools were among those selected by the Mississippi Department of Education to receive help from state-contracted math coaches.
According to a press release from MDE, the coaches will “deliver professional development and coaching services to teachers and administrators that will improve student outcomes.”
Mary Johnson, director of curriculum for the school district, said the coaches will “help close the achievement gap and provide necessary interventions tailored to individual student needs.”
Schools were chosen based on data compiled across several years of Mississippi Academic Achievement Program testing.
In the latest set of MAAP math scores, Amanda Elzy Junior High and Leflore County Elementary scored mainly in the lower half of the assessment’s A-F rating.
The State Board of Education voted Jan. 19 to approve a four-year contract with Catapult Learning LLC, totaling close to $11 million in state funding, to provide 25 or more coaches statewide. An additional one-year renewal is available, should the state deem it necessary.
Johnson is excited for the coaches. “It will build teacher capacity and help each child receive an education tailored to their individual needs,” she said.
All math coaches were required to demonstrate interpersonal skills, depth of knowledge in mathematics and instructional strengths prior to their hire.
According to the release, coaching will be available in-person and online and incorporate “individualized plans of action, in-person modeling and co-teaching, classroom observations, lesson plan de-velopment, professional development and summer enrichment for administrators.”
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
