Bellefontaine City Schools, in collaboration with the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center, was selected as one of 50 districts nationwide to participate in an innovative math initiative with Desmos, district officials announced this week.
Desmos is a computer-based math supplemental curriculum that will be implemented in grades six through eight next school year.
“Desmos is on a mission to help every student learn and love learning math,” representatives said in a release. “Students will be able to take advantage of everything that makes computers special. They invite students to create their own mathematical ideas, rather than just consuming ours. They encourage students to share their creations with each other, rather than with a grading algorithm.”
For the pilot project, Desmos looked for partner school districts who had:
• Communities of teachers — people who love supporting one another and learning together.
• A dedicated teacher-supporter at the district level who understands a vision for connected and creative mathematics.
• A record of perseverance and problem-solving, both of which are necessary in a best-case school year, and especially necessary in this time of school closure.
• Demographic diversity, particularly with respect to student race and gender “so we can understand how to include and support students who have historically been excluded and under supported.”
Bob Batty, MRESC’s director of curriculum/math content specialist, believes the pilot is a fantastic opportunity for area teachers and students.
“Desmos is a leader in mathematics education,” he said. “They offer unparalleled support and responsiveness to teachers. Their online platform and curriculum will push students to make sense of the mathematics in a new and exciting way.”
Batty will be working with district leaders, teachers and Desmos consultants throughout the pilot project.