Family & Community Students & Families Student and Secondary Support
College and Career Readiness

Voluntary Algebra II Test: Professional Development Incentive for Participating in Field Testing

I am extending a special invitation to teams from schools that agree to participate in the American Diploma Project (ADP) Algebra II field tests during October 2007 or February 2008 to attend an all-day symposium hosted by EDC's Center for Mathematics Education in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The symposium will take place on November 15, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Boston University Conference Center in Tyngsboro.

About the Algebra II Assessment

The purpose of the ADP Algebra II test is to assist high schools by providing student-level diagnostic results and a valid indication of readiness for college-level coursework in Mathematics. The test is being developed by Pearson under the direction of Achieve, Inc. Nine states have participated in the development of the program (Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island), and several other states are expected to join soon. The Algebra II test will be administered online, on a voluntary basis, in Massachusetts high schools twice a year: early winter and late spring, beginning in December 2008/January 2009. No paper and pencil version will be available.

About the Field Testing

In preparation for the operational test in December 2008/January 2009, the Department seeks the participation of students who, at the time of field testing, have completed an Algebra II course. Each field test is designed to be administered during one class period. Please indicate the willingness of your school to participate in the February 11-15, 2008, field test by completing and returning the field test registration form   , which is attached to this memorandum, by November 9, 2007.

About the Algebra II Symposium

The symposium will provide teachers of Algebra II and other grade 11-12 math courses with the opportunity to:

• explore several important mathematical areas relevant to the high school curriculum

• work with the latest technology that will soon be used in high school classrooms

• talk with representatives from higher education and business about the mathematical skills needed by high school graduates in order to succeed in postsecondary institutions

• meet and talk with colleagues from around the state

The symposium will involve three breakout sessions in which math department heads and teachers will have a choice of one of the following four concurrent workshops.

1. The mathematics behind game shows
2. Computer Algebra in high school: the value added
3. How does the bank figure the monthly payment on a loan?
4. Counting without counting: combinatorics for high school

Coffee, a light breakfast, and lunch will be served for participants. Additional details regarding the symposium agenda and directions to the site are available with the registration form.

Eligibility to Participate in the Algebra II Symposium

Teams of three teachers/department heads from the 18 high schools participating in the October 1-5, 2007, Algebra II field test along with teams from high schools that volunteer to participate in the February 11-15, 2008, field test are eligible. Symposium registration is limited and closes on Friday, November 9. The symposium registration form is available at www.doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=399.

If you have questions about the content of the event, please contact Helen Lebowitz at EDC (hmlebowitz@edc.org). For more information about symposium registration and eligibility, please contact Donna Pisaturo at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (dpisaturo@doe.mass.edu).

If you have questions about the ADP Algebra II test, contact Wayne Fernald, MCAS Lead Mathematics Developer, in Student Assessment Services at 781-338-3625 or at wfernald@doe.mass.edu.