When EEF has the opportunity to throw support behind an excellent program that will impact EVERY SINGLE student in Eugene School District 4J, we get really excited. That’s why I’m thrilled to share that this year, because of your support of EEF, we’ve had the opportunity to fund an incredible math program called DreamBox for every single kindergarten through 5th grade student in 4J!
We’re featuring an interview between EEF Executive Director Rebecca Sprinson and 4J K-12 Curriculum Administrator for Math and Science Sue Wilson, who is going to share why DreamBox is so fantastic.
Rebecca Sprinson: How has EEF helped expand access to DreamBox?
Sue Wilson: We are excited to share that every 4J K-5 student now has access to DreamBox both in school and at home. We were/are also usingDreamBox to support middle and high school intervention; however, the thought is that if we can better support students to not develop gaps during K-5 grades, we will decrease the need for intervention in the upper grades. Additionally 6 of 8 middle schools have purchased seats, with Cal Young, Roosevelt, and Monroe providing seats for all 6th graders. Without EEF’s $22,500 in funding for DreamBox, we would not have been able to spread the program to all kindergarten through 5th grade classes!
RS: How does DreamBox work?
SW: DreamBox is an adaptive computer platform that provides online, interactive math lessons/tasks that are aligned to standards. The lessons are student centered, and focused on building visual conceptual understanding, key components of our elementary math adoption. Based on student data (success/non-success with the various lessons), it responds by providing lessons at individual rates and levels. It provides a game-like environment with age appropriate gameification. Additionally, it is available entirely in both English and Spanish. Beyond the adaptive engine, teachers are also able to assign lessons that are aligned to classroom content and based on their previous DreamBox performance. The platform encourages productive struggle (hard enough to challenge, but not so hard they shut down) and is responsive to their answers. For this reason, adults are encouraged not to provide answers, but instead to help clarify directions and/or ask questions that ask students to describe their thinking. In just 3 15-20 min sessions a week, students are able to make considerable growth with their mathematics understanding.
RS: Why is DreamBox the best program for our students?
SW: This platform is standards aligned AND builds conceptual understanding through use of multiple representations and math manipulatives. The data and lessons support teachers to pull small groups to support in class differentiation, even with a large number of students. The program identifies gaps and adapts immediately, provides teachers with tools for setting and monitoring goals, and makes math accessible for all students. In addition, TAG students and families have found that this product meets their needs as well, as it adapts to the current rate and level of students and provides lessons in further grade levels for each standard, rather than having to complete all of current grade before getting access to advanced concepts.
RS: Thanks, Sue!
SW: Thank you so much to all EEF donors who made this possible!