Mac-Ro
MAC-Ro
The Math Achievement Club by Rodel (MAC-Ro) is an initiative of the Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona with a proven track record of raising the math achievement of elementary school students. MAC-Ro was piloted in 10 high-poverty schools in five school districts in 2003 and, due to its tremendous success, continues to expand. The MAC-Ro Math Initiative will help 24,000 first- through fourth-grade students in the 2007-08 school year.
The program provides a fun and motivating structure in which students learn mathematics. Based on sound educational research, the primary components of MAC-Ro include standards-based materials for students, professional development for teachers and administrators, and ongoing involvement for families.
MAC-Ro is an initiative for kids
The goal is learning, but the mode is fun. Central to the MAC-Ro Math Initiative are the monthly MAC-Ro workbooks that reinforce the Arizona Mathematics Standard and improve long-term mastery of math skills. Each workbook includes a variety of math problems, puzzles, and games intended to reinforce grade-level expectations and to infuse the excitement of discovery into the teaching of mathematics. The MAC-Ro workbooks are used in addition to each school’s adopted curriculum. Students must complete the MAC-Ro workbooks in addition to regular assignments.
MAC-Ro is an initiative for teachers
Simply having students complete the workbooks will not increase student achievement. Each year, Rodel presents a minimum of two teacher seminars with the intent of inspiring teachers to use hands-on, standards-based strategies to incorporate dynamic learning opportunities into their instructional plans. Because teachers must teach all the skills included in the MAC-Ro workbooks before they are distributed to the students, regular analysis of content both covered and yet to be covered is built into this program.
MAC-Ro is an initiative for administrators
As teachers work toward increasing student achievement through improving their instructional delivery, administrators are directly involved in the process by encouraging math best practices. MAC-Ro principal seminars provide training in what good mathematics instruction looks like so principals can build their skills of observing mathematics lessons as well as offering tips on how to turn the MAC-Ro teacher seminars into ongoing professional development opportunities. In addition to the weekly principal observations, superintendents make quarterly visits to every MAC-Ro classroom to encourage and motivate students and staff.
MAC-Ro is an initiative for families
Great instruction is key to maximizing student achievement, but family involvement is equally important in assuring student success. Parents/guardians are encouraged to help students in the completion of the work and must review and sign MAC-Ro workbooks to acknowledge that students have completed the work. Schools offer parent trainings, developed by Rodel, each year where families learn how to help their children with math and receive take-home materials to assist them with their efforts.
MAC-Ro is an initiative of excellence and accomplishment
MAC-Ro is comprehensive by design; to maintain excellence, accountability is critical. Superintendents, principals, and teachers must sign agreements that they will carry out the intent and procedures of the MAC-Ro program. One-hundred percent agreement is required. To ensure everyone understands their roles, MAC-Ro Monitor/Trainers go into each MAC-Ro classroom a minimum of four times per year to offer support to the teachers, to encourage the students, and to ensure excellence and fidelity to all components of the program at all schools. Monitor/Trainers communicate with administrators, teachers, and parents, and keep the MAC-Ro Program Administrator well informed as to the success of each school.
When brought together, these components explain why the MAC-Ro Math Initiative has significantly raised math achievement in school districts located in economically disadvantaged communities throughout Arizona.
MAC-Ro: A Proven Record of Success
MAC-Ro schools show significant growth from 2004 to 2005
A study by researchers at the University of Arizona (UofA) showed that schools participating in MAC-Ro had more than double the increase in students meeting or exceeding standards on the AIMS test compared to similar schools. More specifically, the 69 schools in MAC-Ro during the 2004-05 school year gained an average of 16.8 points over the previous year. During the same period, a control group of schools with similar demographics only gained 5.9 points while the statewide average rose 12 points.
Success builds each year in MAC-Ro
The UofA study also compared the AIMS math achievement scores of MAC-Ro schools to statewide schools for each year that schools joined the program. All groups of MAC-Ro schools showed significant growth compared to statewide schools.
- During their first three years in the program, MAC-Ro’s original pilot schools gained an average of 35.5 percentage points of students who met or exceeded the state standards on the AIMS test. This was more than double the state average gain of 14 points.
- Cohort 2, which began the program in the 2003-04 school year, achieved a gain of 18.9 points during their two years in the program compared to a statewide gain of 10 points.
- Schools that joined in 2004-05 also saw incredible gains of 22.8 points in just one year compared to a statewide gain of 12 points.