MAP: Mathematics Assessment Process for the Middle Grades. Volume III. Staff Development Guidelines.

The Mathematics Assessment Process (MAP) for the Middle Grades gives teachers and school reform leaders new tools to examine and systematically realign mathematics programs. MAP engages an interdisciplinary coalition within a school in an exploration of mathematics instructional excellence. Through an extensive self-study, a school answers the question, "How well is our mathematics program meeting the needs of the students in our school?" MAP integrates three central ideas: consensus on the need for major revisions in middle-grades mathematics, need to implement effective mathematics instructional practices targeted for adolescents, and existence of practical, tested strategies for planning change that can guide the restructuring of middle-grades mathematics programs. At the core of MAP is a set of "Criteria for Excellence" developed by a national advisory panel of middle-grades practitioners summarizing the principles underlying outstanding middle-grades mathematics education. This document, "Staff Development Guidelines," the third in a set of three volumes, presents a series of seven staff development workshops enabling a school's team leaders to direct its own site-based preparation for using MAP. In addition to detailed instructions on how to conduct each workshop, a comprehensive appendix offers practical suggestions to team leaders about leading workshops for professional colleagues and other adult learners. It also outlines hints for coordinating the logistics of the assessment process. (MDH)