As usual, the Elementary math department has hit the ground running. It is our goal to review, revise and repost material to support teachers in order to improve student achievement through performance based instruction. Have a Wonderful Math Year!
Margaret Moss
K-5 Math Supervisor
Math Updates
Last year, the DOE formed a committee to complete a Precision Review on the Georgia Performance Standards K – 5. The math team has organized the standards into an Old vs. New chart. Please click below to review the changes for each grade level. There is also a power point that accompanies the changes in the standards at each level.
IMIs and Benchmarks
At the end of the 2008-2009 school year, the District Math coaches spent time meeting with teachers from all over the county to revise the Individual Math Inventories and the Benchmarks. The IMIs for each grade level (First through Fifth) are ready and have been posted to Picasso.
During 2009-2010, it is mandated that each grade level take the Benchmark. Every student will be given a paper/pencil test through the Office of Accountability.
What is the Difference between an IMI and a Benchmark?
Each Individual Math Inventory and Benchmark provides a snapshot of a student's mathematical progress over the quarter and is administered in grades 1-5.
Individual Math Inventory (IMI)
The IMI is designed to measure a student's growth in the mathematical concepts taught in a particular quarter. It is normally administered as a pre-assessment (pre-IMI) at the beginning of the quarter to determine a student's previous knowledge. It then becomes the guide for the teacher to adjust instructional levels to meet the needs of the students. If the same IMI is administered at the end of the quarter, it is known as the post-IMI. At this point the pre- and post-IMI are compared to determine the amount of growth a student has achieved on the standards taught in that quarter.
Benchmarks
Benchmarks are offered in grade levels 1-5 at the end of each quarter and have a dual purpose. They are used as a summative piece to determine how the student is doing on the material taught during that particular quarter. However, they also serve as a formative piece by helping teachers determine standards that the student still has not mastered. Each quarter's Benchmark is completely aligned to the IMI of the same quarter.
Which Assessment should I Use?
The math department provides a series of choices for schools, namely, the Pre-IMI, the Post-IMI and the Quarter’s Benchmark. However, it is suggested that teachers use the Pre-IMI (at the beginning of the Quarter) to determine instructional levels and the Benchmark (at the end of the Quarter). This will give a good indication of the mathematical growth of the students. Both these assessments can be entered on-line in the Achievement Series. The test IDs for both IMIs and Benchmarks will be found in Briefings.
