HUTTO – Only 35% of Hutto students met standards on the 2022 STAAR math tests. The results signify an increase from the 2021 scores of 31% but are still a long way from the pre-pandemic 47% score.
The numbers were discussed at a recent board meeting where Dr. Robert Sormani, associate superintendent of instruction and innovation, revealed that the district has put a new math plan in place to accelerate bringing students up to grade level. The plan is being enacted across all grades.
Sormani explained that the new program has kids learning math by being able to talk out the problems and learning in ways that they can apply to everyday life, making math more relevant and helping them internalize the concepts of problemsolving.
The scores were well below Hutto Independent School District’s target of 52%, though the target number was created before the full effects of the pandemic were realized.
“The dip in math scores was statewide,” said Meredith Roddy, director of curriculum. “It was dealing with the new challenges of remote learning, constant interruptions, teachers being out and students being out.”
Roddy said discovering the scores had not rebounded significantly this year spurred the district to take immediate action.
“At the beginning of the year we had an existing math plan, but we realized we needed to envision it differently,” she said. “To understand what’s happening with our students we need to think about how we teach and how students learn and what we know about the best practices for teaching mathematics.”
The district researched multiple
sources and consulted the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
“We came up with the eight best practices and made these our guiding principles,” Roddy said. “If we don’t have a clear philosophy of how we teach math then we can’t really improve and we can’t guarantee student success.”
Components and expectations for principals, teachers, students and parents are part of the system. The most significant mathematical concepts and skills at each grade level are available and transparent so everyone can see what is expected. There are tools and resources in place to make sure the instructional strategies align across each campus. Professional development is embraced, as are strategies to engage diverse learners and increase inclusive learning environments.
“It’s more than following the resources. Teaching is an art and a science, and we use the guiding principles to lay out what we can do at HISD,” Roddy said. “We’re not doing this to demonstrate success on a state test. We’re doing it to impact students’ success in their future college and careers.”
