Teacher Excellence: Ensuring Student Competitiveness
Under the guidelines of the Math Science Partnership Program (MSP) administered by the Tennessee Department of Education, this program will provide professional development for high school science and mathematics teachers in Tennessee who want to improve their knowledge and skills in order to begin teaching upper level and/or AP classes. Under the leadership of the Tennessee Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Center this program will promote a collaborative partnership with Middle Tennessee State University; University of Tennessee-Knoxville; University of Memphis; Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education; and partnering school districts to strengthen the teaching of high school mathematics and physics.
The primary purpose of the program is to increase the number of well-qualified teachers to provide instruction in upper-level science and mathematics courses. In congruence with the funding guidelines, the emphasis will be on increasing the scientific and mathematical content knowledge of teachers. Additional emphasis will be upon updating pedagogical skills including motivating students, implementing national science and math standards, utilizing technology in instruction, and understanding the goals and objectives of the Advanced Placement program. The content will be based upon the state mathematics and science standards for upper-level courses and the AP content objectives for pre-calculus, calculus, physics. Expected program outcomes include:
- A cadre of well-qualified teachers to teach the more advanced math and science courses.
- Increased number of upper-level and AP courses being offered by Tennessee schools, increasing student access to rigorous math and science courses.
- More Tennessee high school graduates who are college or workforce ready.
- Enhanced collaboration among middle schools and high schools to place more students in the pipeline to complete rigorous mathematics and science in high school.
- An improved educational environment that expects and supports students’ participation in the study of rigorous mathematics and science.
Each participating teacher will commit to participating for two years. Last summer the first cadre of teachers joined the program. Currently a second cadre of teachers is being recruited.
The outcomes associated with this project include:
- Quality staff development program at minimal cost to school systems;
- Opportunity for systems to increase the number of teachers who are prepared to teach upper-level mathematics and science courses;
- Materials provided to participants for use in developing future instruction in their classroom;
- Knowledgeable resource teachers to promote continued improvement in the system’s science and mathematics programs;
- Increased communication and collaboration among teachers in Tennessee;
- Enhanced collaboration with MTSU, University of Memphis, UTK, and Oak Ridge National Laboratories in terms of future staff development.
- Help in enhancing the overall quality of mathematics and science education in Tennessee by providing more students access to upper-level and AP courses.
The professional development offered to the teachers will provide:
- Six graduate credits (3 in education; 3 in science or mathematics with tuition waived). Graduate credit is required.
- Increased scientific and mathematical knowledge in areas with direct application to the upper-level and Advanced Placement mathematics and science curricula.
- Increased competencies in utilizing innovative, motivational teaching techniques including effective integration of technology and manipulatives.
- A stipend of $1,800 for complete participation in the two-year program.
- Instructional materials that will be used during the summer institute and can be used in developing future instruction in the classroom.
- Hotel (single occupancy) during the summer institutes; lunch at all workshop sessions.
- $400 technology stipend (purchases must be made from an approved list).
School systems are asked to provide:
- Membership on the Project Advisory Board including input in program development and evaluation.
- Recruitment of, communication with, and supervision of participating teachers throughout the course of the project.
- Help in gathering the data necessary to evaluate the project.
- Commitment to providing appropriate technology and/or labs teachers need to effectively teach upper-level and AP courses.
- As possible, provide substitute teacher for participating teachers to attend program activities during the school year. (4 days per school year per teacher)
- As possible, provide mileage to project activities.