Northern Kentucky Algebra Community

The Northern Kentucky Algebra Community grew out of an effort that began in Spring 2006 to develop a Northern Kentucky Teaching and Learning Network. Several Northern Kentucky K-12 representatives met with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) staff to discuss a new model to replace the Teacher Academies – extending those to create a self-sustaining learning community. The Northern Kentucky schools, as part of the Northern Kentucky Council of Partners (the P-16 Council), were encouraged to develop a teacher network model. Initially, a questionnaire was sent to all middle and high schools that are part of the Council of Partners. This includes 22 high schools and 21 middle schools in 18 districts. Most districts indicated an interest, and about 65 representatives of those districts attended a meeting in October 2006 to discuss priorities for content areas and how they would like the network to operate. Algebra I was determined to be the first priority and a planning committee began work on putting the model together. The choice for beginning with Algebra was based on the results of the questionnaire and because Algebra is often an indicator of future success in mathematics. In April 2007, an invitation was sent to the member schools by the Council of Partners, inviting them to submit names of teachers who would participate. As of June 1, 2007, approximately 60 teachers were registered representing 15 Northern Kentucky School Districts.