Math-+Calculator+Funding+Vote

The math department is requesting to use QEIA funding to purchase calculators for the entire math department and 2 special education teachers. The funding request total is $10,379. Due to district deadlines for submitting requests to purchase from outside vendors, we need to make this an e-vote, it cannot wait until our next Council meeting. Please read justification below the vote box.

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The math department has not had new calculators in over 10 years. The class sets we have are not consistent or incomplete. Over the years do to theft and equipment failure; most teachers do not even have a class set. This makes it very difficult to do any type of calculator activity. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics recommends using calculators to increase motivation and to include low level students in complex problems. When students use calculators in class they are more engaged with the mathematics and less afraid of making computational mistakes. As our PLCs work on achieving their SMART goals of raising the number of students receiving A/B/Cs, calculators are an easy motivational tool to keep the students engaged. One of the areas our department/district needs to work on, according to Dr. Kanold, is the use of technology in the classroom. I would love to order class sets of graphing calculators, but the cost factor is too high. Although these are not graphing calculators, they will work in every math class. The use of calculators in the classroom can help us meet our QEIA goals on the CST and CAHSEE exam. It is true that students are not allowed to use the calculators on the test, but if the students are more engaged in the classroom and are able to access the math with the use of a calculator, then I believe we will see increases in our scores.
 * Justification:**

__NCTM Position (http://www.nctm.org/about/content.aspx?id=6358)__ Mathematics programs should provide students with a range of knowledge, skills, and tools. Students need an understanding of number and operations, including the use of computational procedures, estimation, mental mathematics, **__and the appropriate use of the calculator__**. A balanced mathematics program develops students’ confidence and understanding of when and how to use these skills and tools. Students need to develop their basic mathematical understandings to solve problems both in and out of school.