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Improved math achievement in an urban high school: A case study of a high school in the Vista Unified School District

Posted on:2008-09-19Degree:Ed.DType:Dissertation
University:University of Southern CaliforniaCandidate:Abrahamson, Margaret AnneFull Text:PDF
GTID:1447390005963003Subject:Education
Abstract/Summary:
The research consistently finds that our greatest challenge in California public schools resides in our urban schools as defined by high poverty, high minority and low performance. The math performance of our students is significantly lower in public urban secondary school across the country and specifically in California. This has been evidenced by student performance on state assessments and the high percentage of students not passing the math portion of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) which is a state required graduation requirement. These facts of increased the focus on K-12 math performance from both state and federal agencies.;The purpose of the study is to examine factors that positively influenced the math performance of students in one urban high school. The study explores the elements of the school design, the strategies and best practices used within the classroom and the role of the school leader in shaping and directing the school improvement efforts. The study will incorporate an understanding of how instructional leaders lacking strong pedagogical content knowledge in mathematics education, are able to impact significant mathematics achievement at the school site.;Currently our schools are utilizing a variety of standards based curriculum and researched based strategies as their instructional program. There is limited information on what instructional combination works best and what is contributing to the success of schools. Our educational institutions are striving to improve the academic performance of all students, however the achievement gap persists.;Five conceptual frameworks that are grounded in educational research and four data collection instruments are used to provide structure for the analysis collected in alignment with the five research questions that were developed with the purpose of gaining insight to factors that can be attributed to the improved math performance of certain urban high school's in Southern California.
Keywords/Search Tags:School, Improved math, Math performance, California, Education, Achievement, Mathematics
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