Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education Cooperative Partners College of Arts and Sciences College of Education Dr. Jack Rhoton East Tennessee State University

STEM Education As we think about the big picture of STEM education, we might ask ourselves… 1.What are the drivers? 2.What is the context? 3.What are the issues?

East Tennessee State University The Drivers 1.The Global, knowledge based economy 2.The recognition that STEM fields underpin modern life and our standard of living 3.The need for all students to be STEM literate and the need for STEM experts 4.The need to build a skilled workforce of problem solvers, innovators and inventors 5.The need for life long learning

East Tennessee State University The Context 1.There are too few students who are choosing to study math and science beyond the compulsory school years 2.This impacts the pool of generic and specialized skills available

East Tennessee State University The issues 1.Student Participation 2.Curriculum content and pedagogy 3.Recruitment and retention of teachers 4.Teaching qualification and PD requirement

East Tennessee State University Long term commitment Maintaining focus Capacity building Sustainability Leveraging resources Credibility with stakeholders Evaluation and benchmarking of results Key elements of our center Advancing the support of math & science education at all levels, K-16.

Tennessee First in Math and Science Education Union Campbell

Our Work is focused on strengthening math and science education at all levels 1.Pre-service math and science teachers 2.Undergraduate math and science education 3.In-service math and science teachers East Tennessee State University

A commitment to building a district’s capacity requires a latticed network of both formal and informal learning opportunities at multiple levels of the organization. These might include: introductory and advanced content-based. workshops for teachers professional learning communities that focus. on questions of practice and leadership development for school and district. leaders

East Tennessee State University 1.ETSU/Eastman’s Scholars Mathletes Program 2.Unicoi Math Project 3.ETSU GEAR UP Math Project 4.Niswonger Math Project 5.Reaching for Excellence in Middle and High School Science Partnership Some activities of the center…

6.Significant Contributions of ETSU STEM faculty 7. Tennessee Junior Academy of Science 8. University School Revisioning 9. Governor’s School 10.Innovative Graduate Program Development Some activities of the center… East Tennessee State University

11.Upper East TN Science Fair, Inc. 12.Upper East TN Science Olympia 13.Summer Career Adventure Program 14.ETSU Franklin Math Bowl 15.Talent Expansion in Quantitative Biology, NSF GK12, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Some activities of the center… East Tennessee State University

16.Publications…journals, books 17.Conferences 18.Participated in revising the state’s science standards 19.International Math / Science Study 20.Graduate students working with inservice and preservice programs Some activities of the center… East Tennessee State University

Impacts of Partnership Projects Trained over 1000 math and science teachers Directly impacted approximately 75,000 students Involved over 60 partner schools in the 16 school districts of UETEC Gains in teacher content knowledge Gains in student achievement Improved teaching strategies East Tennessee State University

Impacts of Partnership Project (cont’d) Increased funding for math & science supplies & equipment for the region’s schools ($85,000 for school year) ETSU Arts & Sciences faculty visiting schools on a regular basis 120 math and science teachers will participate in professional development activities and enroll in a three-hour graduate course during summer 2009 East Tennessee State University

Engagement of Arts & Sciences and College of Education Faculty During the past six partnership Awards, 12 faculty have been recognized for MSP work. Five Arts & Sciences faculty have participated each year Five of the faculty in have engaged in MSP work for more than 200 hours each. Six have engaged in 110 or more hours each during the past year. East Tennessee State University

Reaching for Excellence in Middle & High School Science Partnership Project Management Team Central Office Curriculum Directors (with decision making authority) Middle School & High School Principals Six University Science Professors (biology, chemistry, physics) Middle School & High School Teachers Graduate Assistant (working with low achieving students) External Evaluator Project Director East Tennessee State University

Student Achievement Elements of Professional Development and Teacher Needs Assessment Instructional Teams Project Director Teacher Knowledge Gain Teacher Leadership Institutes Project Management Team Sustained Academic Year Follow-up Teacher Input East Tennessee State University

Do We Have Any Results? Analysis of data from one of our current Math Science Partnership programs shows 5-12 science students proficiency rising in conjunction with new educational approaches. East Tennessee State University

Summer Workshop Pretest and Post-test Results

Middle School Level

High School Post-test Biology Gateway Exam 26.6% 71.4% 2%

Outcomes Aids students in the mastery of essential mathematics and science concepts; Motivates students to pursue STEM-related careers; Provides students with real-world tasks that encourage career exploration; Provides faculty with guidelines and resource curriculum materials; and Provides faculty with assessment strategies and rubrics East Tennessee State University

What Else are We Learning? Limitation in region’s human capacity to engage in reforming K-12 mathematics & science Essential role of ETSU in reforming K-12 mathematics & science education Important linkage between preservice education and an array of alignment concerns across P-16 East Tennessee State University

Challenges, Opportunities & Implications Gain Public Support Develop & train high-quality mathematics & science teaching work force Provide students appropriate opportunities to learn Prepare guidance counselors to provide quality career guidance East Tennessee State University