| State: California | Number of Students: 3,361 |
| School Type: Public School | Free and Reduced Lunch: 12.1% |
| Grade Level: 9-12 | English Language Learners: 0.5% |
School Context
This is a large public high school in an urban area. They were the first in their state to use ST Math and have a 1:1 program throughout the school. While they have a history of using edtech tools, they are now starting to use technology strategically to support struggling learners.
State of Technology
While students in their district typically learn algebra at the middle school level, the school has around 200 students who continue to struggle with the topic throughout their algebra career. They notice that for these students who might be retaking the subject for the first or second time, that engagement is key to their success. The school is looking for an engaging tool with qualities similar to a game-based experience, that students can interact with to learn and practice algebra fundamentals. This tool would ideally track students mastery of basic algebra topics. Ideally, this tool is aligned with SBAC so that the skill sets are aligned with their different modules of pre-testing. However, this is a nice-to-have, not a non-negotiable. The school would use this tool as a supplementary tool to support teachers as they coach and guide students through areas where they are struggling.
Currently, students who have failed to pass algebra by middle school are enrolled in a two year course where they receive intensive instruction in algebra. They spend two periods a day focusing on Algebra, one that focuses on direct instruction and another period where they are supported by a coaching guide who helps work with struggling students while other students work independently. The resources currently being used includes a digital textbook created by Pearson called California Common Core Algebra. In the past, students in these classes have used resources from Plato but we received feedback that the resources were not engaging, and therefore were ineffective.
Tech Needs & Requirements
Teachers need the ability to control many aspects of the tool. They need to control the sequencing of content and be able to assign specific skills to specific students. Teachers should have the ability to set pathways for specific student types to follow, in order to differentiate content.
Teacher control over the tool is a non-negotiable. They must have the ability to sequence the skills and assign content to individual students. There is a 1:1 ratio, but students can choose between iPads or Chromebooks. For the most part they will be using Chromebooks in this classroom.
Teachers should get feedback about how students competency is progressing through specific skill sets. Teachers should have access to the data through a dashboard, but they do not need to export it. The tool must be browser based and cannot require javascript.