FINAL REPORT

to the

New York State Board of Regents

and the

New York State Commissioner of Education

 

Independent Panel on Math A

 

 

Dr. William Brosnan, Chairperson

Superintendent of Schools

Northport­East Northport School District

Former Teacher and Chairperson of Mathematics

 

 

Stanley Chapman

Teacher of Mathematics

Clara Barton High School (NYC)

 

Daniel Jaye

Assistant Principal ­ Mathematics

Stuyvesant High School (NYC)

Former Teacher of Mathematics

 

Dr. Gregory Cizek

Professor of Educational Measurement

and Evaluation

University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)

 

Dr. Sophia Maggelakis

Professor and Department Head,

Mathematics and Statistics

Rochester Institute of Technology

 

Franco DiPasqua

Mathematics and Science Supervisor

Frontier School District

 

Theresa McSweeney

Teacher of Mathematics

Marcellus School District

 

 

Andrew Giordano

Professional Engineer

Christa Construction

 

 

Dr. Alfred Posamentier

Dean, School of Education, City College

Professor of Mathematics Education

 

Lidia Gonzalez

Teacher of Mathematics

Washington Irving High School (NYC)

 

 

Dr. Katherine Staltare

Chairperson, Mathematics Department

Yonkers Public Schools

 

 

Dr. Robert Gyles

Department of Curriculum and Teaching

Hunter College, CUNY

Former Teacher of Mathematics

 

Dr. Alan Tucker

Professor of Applied Mathematics

SUNY Stony Brook

 

 

October 8, 2003

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Acknowledgments

 

 

 

 

The Panel would like to begin by expressing its appreciation to the Board of Regents

and the Commissioner of Education for the establishment of this Panel. In the group

are some who have raised questions in the past about the mathematics graduation

requirements, and we are impressed that we have been invited to study the issue and

present a formal report. The Panel is especially indebted to Associate Commissioner

Tom Sheldon for his help with all aspects of our work; indeed, at the end of its first

meeting, the Panel engaged in a spontaneous round of applause for Mr. Sheldon's

efforts. The Panel would also like to express appreciation to the members of the State

Education Department staff who were involved in responding to our extensive requests

for data and information. In particular, we would like to thank Jim Kadamus, Jerry

DeMauro, Jackie Marcano, Anne Schiano, Gretchen Maresco, Terry Calabrese­Gray

and Deb Hogan for all of their help.

 

The Panel would like to express special appreciation to Mary Ann Jansen, Secretary to

Associate Commissioner Sheldon, for her efficiency and her patience as we worked

through several drafts, and to Ruth Billings, Secretary to the Superintendent for the

Northport­East Northport School District who, as secretary to the Panel's Chairperson,

found herself with some new responsibilities, and who handled all with her usual

aplomb.

 

The Panel members are deeply appreciative to our school districts, universities, and

employers for their willingness to permit us to engage in this important work.

 

Finally, the Panel members express appreciation to our families for their patience, as

we devoted much personal time to this effort rather than engaging in other family

activities. You truly are the foundation for all of our work.

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

I. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1

 

II. Executive Summary ................................................................................................ 3

 

III. The History of Math A............................................................................................ 10

 

IV. The Development of the Math A Exams................................................................ 12

 

V. Findings and Recommendations........................................................................... 15

 

A. The Math A Standards................................................................................ 15

 

B. The Math A Exam....................................................................................... 22

 

C. Infrastructure Issues Related to the Attainment of Math A Standards ........ 37

 

D. Additional Issues ........................................................................................ 40

 

1. Scoring Rubrics, and Communications to the Field Regarding

Grading ................................................................................. 40

 

2. Calculator Use on the Math A Exam................................................ 41

 

 

 

E. The January 2004 Exam, and All Math A Exams Until a New One Is

Designed.......................................................................................... 43

 

F. Suggested Timeline.................................................................................... 45

 

VI. Summary and

Conclusion ..................................................................................... 46

 

Appendix A. Panel's Response to the Nine Elements of Its Charge

 

Appendix B. Members of Regents Review Panel for June 2003 Math A Examination

 

Appendix C. Documents Reviewed by Math A Panel