Early Mathematics Education Project Accomplishments and Plans Erikson Institute Board of Trustees Meeting March 18, 2010 The Early Mathematics Education Project is generously funded by: McCormick Foundation,CME Group Foundation, Motorola Foundation, Exelon, Chicago Public Schools Office of Early Childhood Education, and Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc.

“If I can’t get them out of MIT, I’ll get them out of Tsing Hua.” Paul Otellini, Chief Executive of Intel, on hiring smart, skilled labor despite weak science and math education in America’s K-12 schools. (Speech at Brookings and the Aspen Institute, 2010)

Average Math Scores at Kindergarten Entry (ECLS-B) (Denton Flanagan & McPhee, 2009)

Teacher Preparedness Percent of early childhood teacher education programs in New Jersey’s 4-year colleges that provide … A course focused on early literacy80% A course focused on early mathematics16% Mathematics only as part of integrated curriculum74% No early mathematics training at all10% (Lobman, Ryan, & McLaughlin, 2005)

In Illinois Percent of bachelor’s degrees with early childhood teacher certification that provide … A course focused on early literacy100% A course focused on early mathematics7% Early math as part of an integrated curriculum30% Mathematics at the primary level (grades K-3) only41% No course that explicitly identifies math content as a topic 22% (Ray & Bowman, 2010)

According to Our Survey of CPS Preschool Teachers (t (302) = , p <.001)

According to Our Survey of CPS Preschool Teachers Teachers report an average of 1 hour and 8 minutes per week directly teaching math.

Yet We Also Know That… Mathematics activities take place in only 21 percent of CPS early childhood classrooms on a given day Language Arts or Literature MATHEMATICS ACTIVITY Social Studies Science Art or Music Activity (Chicago Program Evaluation Project, 2007)

Erikson’s Response The Early Mathematics Education Project Let’s watch some video

Distinctive Features Integrate with children’s literature Emphasize Big Ideas in early mathematics Stress use of mathematical language Engage children in active learning Provide on-site coaching Utilize video-based reflective practice

232 Teachers 88 Coaches 113 Schools 7,500 Students/yr (approx.) Project to Date (over 3 year period)

Evaluation Results Children whose teachers participated in the Project learned significantly more math over the school year – almost 3 months worth – than children whose teachers did not participate (Coefficient = 2.74, p <.008)

Quotes from Teachers I used to feel afraid to teach math even to preschoolers - but now I am excited about it. … my time was never wasted. I am a better teacher because of this PD. Thank you. My classroom is exploding with math! This is PD (professional development) Heaven!

Near-Term Plans 2 nd International Symposium on Early Mathematics Education June Policy Breakfast and Release of Policy Brief

Long-Term Plans Center for Early STEM Education: Tending to the Roots STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Pre-K & Kdg Math Pre-K & Kdg Science Curriculum for Teacher Educators Pre-K to 3 rd Pre-Service Math Pre-K to 3 rd Grade Math Erikson M.A. Math Endorsement Center for Early STEM Education: Tending to the Roots

Directly train teachers and other trainers Conduct research on the teaching and learning of both teachers and children Act as a clearinghouse and advocate Center for Early STEM Education: Tending to the Roots