Franklin Middle School Recognized as a Leader in Math Education

Franklin Middle School Recognized as a Leader in Math Education,
Shares Strategies with Idaho Education Excellence Commission

Franklin Middle School recently earned the distinguished honor of presenting to the Idaho Education Excellence Commission, a group formed by the Idaho Legislature to identify best practices in education across the state. This recognition highlights the exceptional work being done at Franklin, as the school was invited to share its innovative math strategies after being celebrated for its outstanding growth in middle grades math achievement.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District is a Visible Learning district, applying John Hattie’s research on high-impact practices for student growth. During the presentation, Franklin demonstrated how these evidence-based strategies drive success in math proficiency and foster meaningful growth for students.

During the presentation, Principal Patrick Vereecken and Stephanie Iverson, math chair, emphasized Franklin’s commitment to creating a positive math culture by adopting a growth mindset where mistakes are embraced as learning opportunities, and progress is celebrated. This reflects Franklin’s core values: being responsible, respectful, safe, and kind.

Among the strategies shared were:

• Classroom Environment: Building inclusive, supportive learning spaces through Franklin Family Foundations.
• Practice Opportunities: Providing non-graded assignments to check understanding and guide
• next steps.
• Data-Informed Instruction: Using formative assessments to adapt teaching strategies to meet individual needs.
• Differentiated Instruction: Tailoring lessons to students through small group work and active learning approaches.
• Targeted Interventions: Implementing in-school support to address specific student needs and close learning gaps.
• Extended Learning Opportunities: Offering additional academic support before and after school.
• Rigorous, Real-World Curriculum: Engaging learners with challenging lessons that use manipulatives and connect to real-world scenarios.

Franklin also highlighted the importance of parental involvement and regular two-way communication, along with their commitment to lifelong learning through ongoing professional development for both educators and learners.

The school’s efforts in fostering a positive math culture, combined with their average class size of 25 students, ensure personalized attention and support for every learner.

The opportunity to share these successes with the Education Excellence Commission underscores Franklin Middle School’s leadership in education, serving as a model for other schools statewide. The presentation was a proud moment for the entire PCSD 25 community, reaffirming the district’s commitment to excellence in education and solidifying its place as a leader in the field of math instruction.