About eMath
eMath was created out of a desire to assist stuggling mathematics students at
Edina (MN) High School be more
successful in their core mathematics courses. It arose in the summer of 2008 out of a concern by Principal Dr. Bruce Locklear and Assistant Principal Mike Pretasky
regarding an inordinately high number of incoming sophomores who appeared to be at risk mathematically (EHS is a 10-12 high
school).
The course was designed from the ground up and taught in 2008-09 by teachers Bob Schneider (mathematics) and Steve
Clarke (special education). It was decided early on that just delivering mathematical content, regardless of the
delivery system, could have little hope of success. Kids that get to high school with significant mathematical
deficiencies have developed issues with their receptiveness to the content. The key to resolving these issues
is to identify and attack the obstacles that the curricular delivery encounters.
It was determined relatively early on what the major roadblocks to mathematical success were (see the list below)
and that these things needed to be addressed. As a result, the course spends the first year addressing these
issues along with basic mathematical skills. The second year is spent on grade-level mathematics skill development
and preparation for high stakes standardized tests.
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Major roadblocks to learning identified in eMath students:
- A very low perception by the students of themselves as learners.
- A lack of understanding of the behaviors that learners exhibit.
- Significant fundamental weaknesses in their basic mathematical skills.