Designing Backwards

The news has been full of reports about our nation’s math scores, noting that fourth-grade scores – in particular – have been flat. In order to keep our own program strong and competitive, we decided to take a closer look at our own math curriculum to ensure fluidity, rigor and sensible transition between divisions. 

 

Last week was the first meeting of our Vertical Math Team, which represents faculty members from all three divisions PK-12. The mission of this group is to start with the Darlington graduate and design backwards, putting together the proper sequence of courses and techniques to teach the skills necessary for a strong college preparation. Whether our graduates are artists or engineers, whether they explore calculus, use statistics or simply calculate their finances, we want them to be firmly grounded in the skills they will need to succeed. 

 

Our Vertical Team will look at the full arc of Darlington students, beginning with the fundamentals of number awareness, practicing the math facts they will need, and growing into the more complex tasks of critical reasoning. It was so clear as soon as the teachers began to share ideas that each had a lot to learn from the others. This vertical planning will be the backbone of our academic curriculum PK through 12, and I am pumped about where it will take us!