#MPS ITSLEARNING PROFESSIONAL#

It also clarified the newly formed role of the math leader. Huinker said, вЂњThe seminars allowed the Learning Teams time to focus specifically on mathematics and set the direction for their continued work together in improving mathematics learning and teaching in their schools.

#MPS ITSLEARNING PROFESSIONAL#

Each specialist is assigned to work with specific schools where they help to facilitate professional development, assist in developing school education plans in mathematics, and gather benchmark data to ensure student achievement. These are MPS teachers who were brought out of the classroom to help implement the mathematics program as part of the grant. Some of the sessions were taught by new MPS math teaching specialists. Participants were encouraged to come up with a specific action plan to improve mathematics at each of their schools. Each school sent its Learning Team to the seminar where they leaned about interpreting test data, professional development in mathematics and strategies to build a stronger math vision for each school. In February, MPS conducted five one-day seminars for more than 560 teachers and principals from 135 schools, focusing on implementing elements of the Milwaukee Mathematics Partnership in its schools. вЂњTeachers need to deepen and strengthen their own knowledge of mathematics so they can explain it to students in terms the students understand.вЂќ The Milwaukee Mathematics Partnership has four goals: implement a comprehensive mathematics framework to guide improved teaching and learning, distribute leadership for mathematics, build and sustain teacher quality, and ensure students success in challenging mathematics.ДЄnother key aspect of the partnershipвЂ™s plan is to develop more consistent and stronger preparation for teaching mathematics, said Kranendonk. Some of the other faculty from the School of Education (SOE) and Department of Mathematical Sciences that are currently collaborating on the grant include Henry Kepner from SOEвЂ™s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Richard O'Malley, Fredric Ancel and Richard Stockbridge from Mathematics, and Cindy Walker from SOEвЂ™s Department of Educational Psychology. She and co-principal investigators Kevin McLeod of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at UWM, Henry Kranendonk, MPS mathematics curriculum specialist, and Kim Farley of MATC, will lead the Milwaukee Mathematics Partnership collaboration. вЂњThrough these awards, NSF is trying to encourage more students to pursue math longer and be successful at it,вЂќ says DeAnn Huinker, director of UWMвЂ™s CMSER and principal investigator of the grant. The initiative greatly enhances mathematics instruction for students and teachers alike in MPS, UWM and MATC.вЂќ вЂњThe NSF grant serves as a catalyst for the creation of a mathematics framework that directly impacts students, teachers and teacher educators.

The mathematics initiative builds on the Milwaukee Partnership AcademyвЂ™s work to develop a comprehensive literacy framework in that it includes clear and common standards, learning targets, and classroom-based assessments,вЂќ said Alfonzo Thurman, dean of the UWM School of Education and MPA board member. вЂњThis partnership is one of the most exciting in the nation.

The purpose of the grant is to build the capacity of the schools for continuous improvement toward student success in mathematics. Mathematicians, mathematics educators, teachers and staff from these institutions will work collaboratively to support mathematics for Milwaukee students in kindergarten through college. UWMвЂ™s Center for Mathematics and Science Education Research (CMSER) will administer the award and coordinate efforts for the Milwaukee Mathematics Partnership between UWM and its partner institutions, MPS and the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). This past fall, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded $20 million over five years to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to support the Milwaukee Partnership AcademyвЂ™s work to improve the mathematics achievements of MPS students. $20 Million Mathematics Partnership Grant Strengthens Math Teaching and LearningДЄ strong mathematics program is a vital part of any curriculum and now Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) will have more resources to make sure their students improve in math.

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