When the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) approved adding a fourth unit of mathematics to the high school common core curriculum recommended for preparation for higher education in 1998, the new fourth-year Transition to College Mathematics course was developed as a fourth-year option for students to meet this additional unit requirement. This course may be completed to satisfy the fourth unit of mathematics required for the ACADEMIC CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, beginning with the high school graduating class of 2002, and for UNCONDITIONAL ADMISSION TO AN ARKANSAS PUBLIC COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY for high school students who graduate in 2004 or later. Transition to College Mathematics course builds on previous courses in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II (or their equivalents in multi-year integrated programs). Students taking this course should have completed Algebra II (or its equivalent).
The Department of Education is pleased to announce its fourth-year Transition to College Mathematics School Pilot Training workshops. The two workshops will be offered for districts selecting to implement this new fourth-year high school mathematics course during the 2002-2003 academic school year or later. This training is designed to prepare teachers to utilize materials of their choice to meet the objectives outlined by the Transition to College Mathematics syllabus. The training will focus on ways to immerse students in application problems using investigative mathematics so students will better understand the technological world in which they live. The dates for the two workshops are July 15-18, 2002, and July 29-August 1, 2002. Workshop sessions will be conducted at the Holiday Inn Select, West Little Rock. The Arkansas Department of Education has secured a block of sleeping rooms for participants at the Holiday Inn Select for you to make reservations.
Secondary mathematics certification, workshop training, and follow-up activities are required for teachers of this course. The districts deciding to implement the new course during the 2002-2003 academic school year or later are required to send teachers to one of the scheduled workshops on July 15-18 or July 29-August 1, 2002.
Registration for the workshop is being handled by Dr. Linda Griffith, Arkansas Center for Mathematics Education, at University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Attached to this memo is an application form that should be sent to Dr. Linda Griffith by June 1, 2002. Pre-registration is required. The registration fee for the workshop will be $100 per participant. The registration covers cost of instruction and materials provided to participants. Expenses for lodging, transportation and meals other than refreshment breaks and lunch are the responsibility of the participant. The Arkansas Department of Education will provide refreshments for breaks and lunch each day of the workshop. Participants must make their own reservations for lodging at the Holiday Inn Select located at 201 South Shackleford, Little Rock. Please make your hotel reservations by the pre-registration deadline June 1, 2002, by calling 501-223-3000.
Transition Mathematics Workshop is an eligible activity for FY 2001 Excess Funds. At the discretion of each local district, Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Funds may be used to pay the registration fee and expenses for teachers to attend this workshop, provided that those funds have not already been spent for the 2001-2002 academic school year.
General information and specific questions about the Transition to College Mathematics Workshop should be directed to Roy Barnes at rbarnes@arkedu.k12.ar.us or call 501-682-5296.