August,
2004
Shown are Dr. Neil Weber, co-director of the Alternative Certification grant and dean of the college of science, engineering and technology, left photo at left, Dr. W. A. Franklin, also grant co-director and director of the MSU Teacher Quality Institute, right, and Cindy Thresher, lead grant author, seated. In the right photo, are Dr. Weber, Dr. Franklin, Sue Ellen Morris, science education technical consultant for the grant, standing, center, and Shirley McKinney, lead grant author seated.
Two
grants from the Kentucky Department of Education totaling up to $370,000
per year for the next three years will be used to enhance the teaching
of math and science in west Kentucky's elementary and middle schools.
The first grant, the West Kentucky Partners in Math and Science Education Project, will be funded for $260,000 per year, and is a tiered mentoring program. The grant, authored by Shirley McKinney, offers a program of improved student achievement by enhancing and expanding the math and science content knowledge and skills of K-8 teachers.
During the project, new teachers will be mentored by a cadre of experienced teachers who will work with newer teachers to provide a strong academic background and practical application of math and science concepts.
The teacher mentors will be available to observe classes, answer questions, problem solve, and discuss issues their partners may be facing in the classroom. This relationship will benefit the school and students by raising achievement levels and teacher effectiveness.
The mentoring program began this summer at MSU with a workshop for teacher mentors and their partners led by Dr. Renee Fister, mathematics content professional and Dr. Terry Derting, science content professional. An integral part of the training and support for this project will come through the Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) Faculty Scholars at MSU.
Sue Ellen Morris, the science education technical consultant for the grant, will coordinate the mentoring program.
The first grant, the West Kentucky Partners in Math and Science Education Project, will be funded for $260,000 per year, and is a tiered mentoring program. The grant, authored by Shirley McKinney, offers a program of improved student achievement by enhancing and expanding the math and science content knowledge and skills of K-8 teachers.
During the project, new teachers will be mentored by a cadre of experienced teachers who will work with newer teachers to provide a strong academic background and practical application of math and science concepts.
The teacher mentors will be available to observe classes, answer questions, problem solve, and discuss issues their partners may be facing in the classroom. This relationship will benefit the school and students by raising achievement levels and teacher effectiveness.
The mentoring program began this summer at MSU with a workshop for teacher mentors and their partners led by Dr. Renee Fister, mathematics content professional and Dr. Terry Derting, science content professional. An integral part of the training and support for this project will come through the Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) Faculty Scholars at MSU.
Sue Ellen Morris, the science education technical consultant for the grant, will coordinate the mentoring program.
The project, developed in response to the guidelines for No Child Left Behind, will assist Kentucky teachers who may be certified to teach math and science in middle school, but who are not considered "highly qualified" under No Child guidelines.
The first goal of the grant is to help participating teachers pass the middle school Praxis exams in math and science. The Praxis test measures a teacher's content knowledge in specific academic areas. The grant's second goal is the improvement of classroom instruction in middle school math and science, and a third goal of the grant is to improve professional development for middle school teachers in west Kentucky.
Seminars to assist teachers in their preparation for the Praxis will be developed and taught by MSU professors. Summer institutes will provide professional development opportunities geared toward improving the teaching of middle school math and science.
"These grants are a wonderful opportunity for Murray State to creatively interact with gifted and dedicated teachers from this region to positively impact math and science education in west Kentucky schools," Weber said.
