Grants support teacher education in math and science

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster announced partnership grants that will help more than 600 teachers in 77 school districts learn new information in mathematics and science that will support increased student achievement.

The 10 partnerships, five new grants and five renewal grants, will share $1.7 million in federal funding. Grant activities will impact teachers in urban, suburban, and rural parts of the state. Projects will bring together mathematics and science teachers with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics faculty from state colleges and universities to expand teachers’ subject matter knowledge.

“Advances in mathematics and science occur at a rapid pace,” Burmaster said. “These grants will help our teachers keep on top of changes in the fields of mathematics and science and incorporate new developments and innovative teaching strategies into their classroom instruction.”

Grants were directed to partnerships that included eligible high-need school districts based on mathematics and science achievement on statewide test results, poverty levels, and population density. Priority was given to school districts with a school or schools identified for improvement under federal requirements and districts with small student populations that partner to serve a minimum of 1,800 to 2,000 students. Partnerships for grants may include other public schools, businesses, and nonprofit or for-profit organizations that focus on mathematics or science education.

Grants are awarded for two years with the option to apply for continuation for a third year, subject to federal funding availability. The projects must focus on either mathematics or science, employ scientifically based research, and have an active and well-defined partnership among science, technology, engineering, and mathematics faculty and school district participants. If the participating schools are involved in a mathematics reform effort, the project must integrate with on-going reform activities. Each project must incorporate a summer institute combined with follow-up contact during the academic year that will enhance teachers’ ability to understand and use the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Mathematics and Science. The competitive grants are made possible through the Mathematics and Science Partnership Program, part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. A list of partnership grants is available following the complete news release.

Last updated on 12/18/2006