Digital Learning & Technology

Stories from the Field: New Bedford High School Mobile Math Intervention Pilot to Begin in Fall 2015

The Office of Digital Learning (ODL) is committed to sharing with the field new developments in the Commonwealth's schools and districts related to digital, blended, and virtual learning. This is the first of a series of stories that ODL will share to promote innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among Massachusetts educators.

The following is excerpted from a press release issued by the New Bedford Public Schools on June 3, 2015. For more information please contact Jonathan Carvalho, Community Relations Manager for the New Bedford Public Schools.

New Bedford High School Mobile Math Intervention Pilot to Begin in Fall 2015

New Bedford High School has received a grant to pilot a mobile math intervention program with the University of San Diego, after a generous grant of $301,000 from Dr. Irwin Jacobs, New Bedford High alumnus and founder of Qualcomm. The pilot will target 9th grade students enrolled in an Algebra I class for the 2015-16 school year. Approximately 225 students will be randomly selected to participate in the pilot. Researchers from the Mobile Technology Learning Center of the University of San Diego will manage the process of randomly selecting students for this mobile math intervention program. The selection will generate an equal distribution of students based on gender, performance in math class, special education status and socioeconomic data reported to the school. Students who are selected will not be required to participate in this pilot and will have the option to decline. Students and their parents/guardians will be notified if they were selected for the pilot by June 8. Upon notification, students and guardians will be required to reply by June 20 after receiving notification with an acknowledgement and a decision to accept or decline, as well as signing an acceptable use form if they choose to participate. What is a mobile math intervention pilot? The pilot program is intended to evaluate the use of digital curriculum and content both inside and outside of school to increase student achievement outcomes in Algebra. All students and teachers participating in the pilot will be provided with a mobile device with 24/7 Internet access that they can use at home or school. The math pilot will include access to a blended learning Algebra I course model which includes pacing guides, lesson plans, activities, video lessons and assessment items. Participating students will be enrolled into pilot classes. Technology used for the pilot will be utilized as a tool to aid teachers in the instructional process. "We are thrilled and honored to receive this grant from Dr. Jacobs and to be able to partner with the Mobile Technology Learning Center at the University of San Diego on this initiative that we believe will have a major impact on our students," said Superintendent Pia Durkin. "Our students must have a 21st century classroom that is fully integrated with today's technology, and this is an amazing opportunity for them to use technology to benefit their learning."

Last Updated: June 3, 2015