CAMT is Coming Up!

By Savannah Hill, RME Professional Development Coordinator

Looking for a good conference this summer? Come join us at CAMT - the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching in Fort Worth on July 21 - 23. CAMT is an annual Texas conference for K-12 mathematics teachers. The conference is sponsored jointly by the Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Texas Association of Supervisors of Mathematics, and the Texas Section of the Mathematical Association of America.

If you have never heard of the CAMT Conference, here is a little bit about them from their website:

The CAMT program consists of approximately 750 sessions, ranging from 90 minutes to three hours. The workshops and sessions consist of mathematics content and pedagogy appropriate for K-12 mathematics teachers. Outstanding speakers from all over the state and nation submit proposals to present sessions, and a program committee selects sessions most appropriate for the conference. Also, a large number of presenters are invited from all over the country to present featured sessions. Most session presenters are outstanding, practicing mathematics teachers, who present ideas for teaching that they have found effective in their classrooms. Many sessions involve hands-on learning activities that teachers can use in the classroom to address various topics in the mathematics curriculum. Effective use of manipulative materials in the classroom is an important component of the conference, and a number of sessions regarding manipulative use occur at each conference. Use of technology in classroom instruction is also an important component of the CAMT conference.

We have several members of our team presenting this summer. Come join us at one of the following sessions!

• Engaging Models and Activities to Support Fraction Instruction - Monday, July 21, 10:00 - 11:00 and 11:30 - 12:30, CC 203A 
• BYOD: RtI at Your Fingertips - Monday, July 21, 10:00 - 11:00, CC 120 
• MSTAR: Understanding the Value of an Assessment Plan - Monday, July 21, 1:00 - 2:00, Omni FW 5 
• PreCal 911: Engaging Activities to Save the Day! - Tuesday, July 22, 10:00 - 11:00, CC 201C 
• Teacher T.O.M. - A Strategy for Reflective Practice - Tuesday, July 22, 11:30 - 12:30 and 1:00 - 2:00 Omni Stockyards 3 
• ESTAR: Understanding the Value of an Assessment Plan - Tuesday, July 22, 1:00 - 2:00, Omni FW 5 
• Implementing the NEW TEKS with Best Practices - Tuesday July 22, 1:00 - 2:00, CC 114 
• Money Management: Developing Appreciation Through Mathematics - Tuesday, July 22, 1:00 - 2:00, CC 204AB 
• Spaghetti & Meatballs and Algebraic Reasoning - Wednesday, July 23, 10:00 - 11:00, Omni Sundance 2 
• ESTAR: Understanding the Value of an Assessment Plan - Wednesday, July 23, 2:30 - 3:30, Omni FW 5

Hope to see you there! 

ESTAR & MSTAR Assessments - Professional Development

By Savannah Hill, RME Professional Development Coordinator

Today, I want to spend some time talking about some of the professional development opportunities available with the Texas Algebra Ready Initiative. We have spent time before talking about the assessments that are available, but briefly, currently available is the ESTAR and MSTAR Universal Screeners (grades 2-4 and 5-8), coming in January will be the MSTAR Diagnostic Assessments (grades 5-8), followed by the ESTAR Diagnostic Assessments (grades 2-4) next year.

But in order to correctly implement those assessments and interpret the reports given, there is a learning process. Many teachers may not know that professional development is available. It is essential that teachers understand why and how to use the Universal Screener and the MSTAR Diagnostic Assessment and how it can support a Response to Intervention approach. Here is some of the available courses that teachers should take before giving an ESTAR or MSTAR assessment.

ESTAR and MSTAR Universal Screeners: The ESTAR and MSTAR Universal Screener is a formative assessment system administered to students in grades 5-8 to help teachers determine if students are on-track or at-risk for meeting curricular expectations in algebra and algebra-readiness. Currently, a course is available to prepare teachers to administer the ESTAR and MSTAR Universal Screener - Overview of the Universal Screeners. Training on the use of the Universal Screener is available through Project Share. An updated version (v4.0) will be released soon.

MSTAR Diagnostic Assessments (grades 5-8): This assessment, designed to follow the MSTAR Universal Screener, is administered to those students identified as at-risk on the Universal Screener. The Diagnostic Assessment will help identify WHY students are struggling with algebra-related core content, and provide information that can be used to plan supplemental instruction. Two courses will be available: MSTAR Learning Progressions and Overview of the MSTAR Diagnostic Assessments. Information on how to access these courses, which will provide suggestions on how to prepare for administration of the MSTAR Diagnostic Assessments and guidance on how to interpret results following administration, will be made available through various list-servs and Project Share Groups over the coming weeks.

All courses are online and can done individually. PLCs could also use time to review the material from the courses and review for remediation. For more information, contact your local Educational Service Center or visit www.projectsharetexas.org.