Implementation Site: Portsmouth High School - 900 Students

Number of students presently using MATH Connections: over 100

Number of teachers presently using MATH Connections: 3

Implemented 1998.

Reasons for selection:

• The results from the previous years of State Testing indicated they needed a change to their approach
• It was a data-driven, problem-based approach
• After visiting schools - and talking to the teachers and students who were using this program - the search committee felt MATH Connections had the elements they wanted

"Since we have begun this program, our style of teaching overall has begun to change in all our math classes. This program helps kids to see how math is all around them. A girl said to me last year, 'I'm really learning things here that I'll use.' Another girl said, 'I've never gotten above a C or a D in math before and now I'm getting As and Bs and I also understand what we're doing too.' We have taken many of our kids and helped them to change the way they think about themselves. I know this program has not only helped them with their math skills, but with their self esteem too. And isn't that what teaching is all about?" - Pat McCarthy, Math Teacher