Student achievement in Grade 9 has been linked to both secondary and post-secondary outcomes. Although Ontario has implemented significant curriculum and secondary school reforms, a significant subset of Ontario Grade 9 students consistently do not attain proficiency in mathematics. Students that take the applied mathematics course—on the pathway to college—are more likely to not reach the provincial standard on the provincial Grade 9 mathematics assessment than they are to reach it. The purpose of this qualitative study was to discern practices from the field that might contribute to better student outcomes in Grade 9 Applied Mathematics classrooms.

Bio:

Dr. Alison Macaulay has been an Ontario educator for 28 years. She has worked both as a classroom teacher and Mathematics consultant at the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNC CDSB). Alison has a Master of Education in Curriculum Studies from Queens University, where she focused her studies on mathematics. She also holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership from U of T / OISE, where she focused her studies on mathematics education. She is passionate about helping all students (and educators) to discover their mathematical selves.