Lewistown Middle School, Mifflin County School District Lewistown, PA
Grade(s): 6 - 8 Scenario: Computer Lab Purpose: Improve State Test Scores ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 20% Time Spent in ALEKS: 1.5 hours per week, 22.5 hours per term ALEKS Course: Mathematics - LV 3 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV 4 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV 5 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - MS/LV 6, Middle School Math Course 1, Middle School Math Course 2, Middle School Math Course 3
Richard Strausburg, Teacher
The program has more than enough practice for the students and they can access the program from home if parents desire more help. The explanations to the problems assist the students in their understanding of the material. There is also a system of checks and balances where, once a section of the pie is completed, an assessment is given to evaluate what was learned.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS? We had many students who were on the "bubble" of achieving proficient on the state testing. ALEKS helps to cover material we would not be able to get to prior to the testing.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS? 2 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used? 48 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS? We use ALEKS to increase Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test scores, so we began to reserve the two days of the week used for test prep for ALEKS usage in the computer lab.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order? No, I allow the students to choose the categories they wish one day per week. On the other day, I select areas that we may not cover during the year or an area where they need more practice.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS? Two days per week, all of which is devoted toward increasing test scores. ALEKS is used throughout the period.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS? ALEKS has allowed me to more clearly relate information that we cover in class to those topics that they have already had access to in the program, and vice versa.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home? I encourage my students to work at home frequently, although it is not required.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS? I do what is called the Panther Paw-Line, which is an informative recording after hours listing the homework assignments for that day, along with updates and events at the school. I also remind parents of resources, of which ALEKS is a part, for their child if they are struggling in a subject.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of the total homework load is it? The program is not given as any homework assignment, but as a supplement to what we do in class. Since they realize that they are not being graded on their work, I have implemented incentives for completion of "x" amount of work.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system? They are not graded, as we use ALEKS as a supplemental program.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS? As we do not grade, no regular progress is required. However, I do offer incentives to motivate the students.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen. It is clear that my students feel more prepared for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test than before using ALEKS, and feel motivated by the information that they have been given.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS? I encourage educators to create incentives and allow for healthy competition within their class.
