June 2008

The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance has received funding from the Maine Department of Education under the competitive MSP program. Under the grant, the CNECT I project from 2007-2008 will be expanded to include CNECT II. More details coming soon.

Academy for Mathematics Leadership (2007-2008)
The Academy for Mathematics Leadership (AML) is a $268,847 grant awarded to Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance from the Maine Department of Education to create a network of statewide K-12 teacher leaders and is critical in launching a focused effort to improve mathematics teaching and learning across the state. AML is designed for mathematics teacher leaders, specialists, and coaches who are ready and committed to initiate, support and sustain K-12 mathematics reform for the purpose of improving teaching and learning in their school, district, region, and statewide. Eight-five applicants were accepted from across the state to participate in a three-day summer kick-off in July 2007, where leaders focused on mathematics content, leadership, professional development strategies, and facilitation skills. In addition to the first session, three one-day follow up sessions are to be held during the school year. Collaboration and continued discussions in between the face to face sessions will take place using an electronic forum. A fourth follow-up session provides a focused, supported planning session for the leaders and a team of educators from districts to plan for possible year 2 implementation activities.

Project Staff: Cheryl Rose, Leslie Minton and Meghan Southworth

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Creating a Network of Educators to Communicate about Teaching Math (2007-2008)
Creating a Network of Educators to Communicate about Teaching Math (CNECT-Math) is a $106,628 grant from the Maine Department of Education that partners the United Technologies Center, Old Town School Department, University of Maine Farmington (UMF), and Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA). The CNECT’s goals are to 1) refine a model of professional development to improve teachers’ knowledge and instructional skills in the area of data analysis and statistics; 2) build capacity for lateral collaboration in a Regional Learning Community; and 3) improve student achievement in the areas of data analysis and statistics.

Project Staff: Cheryl Rose and Meghan Southworth

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Mathematics: Access and Teaching in High Schools (2004- 2007)
The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) in partnership with the University of Maine at Farmington and nine Maine school districts has been awarded a three-year $1,009,000 grant by the Maine Department of Education through the NCLB Title IIA Mathematics and Science Partnership program. The nine school districts involved are SAD 9, Jay, Augusta, SAD 11, Old Town, SAD 41, SAD 56, SAD 34, and Deer Isle-Stonington. MATHS-Maine is designed to support secondary educators who are committed to improving mathematics achievement for all students to improve their student knowledge and skills in mathematics. The strategies for accomplishing this include: professional development during the school year in mathematics, creating a network of mathematics educators, and accessing resources for building a sustainable model for improvement at the secondary level that incorporates best practices in the learning and teaching of mathematics. The project will incorporate these components by helping districts to i) form a district leadership team ii) collect and analyze data and iii) design, implement and evaluate effective professional development opportunities.

Principal Investigator/Project Director: Cheryl Rose
Mathematics Associate: Carolyn Arline

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Early Mathematical Thinking (2004- ongoing)
EMT is a project between MMSA and 7 cooperating Maine schools. The purpose of the project is to explore the research and create an informational student interview that would enable teachers to identify strengths and impact areas necessary to ensure a strong foundation in mathematics for students in elementary school. The interview will have varied purposes depending on the needs of the classroom teacher, special education teacher or support personnel.

Project Director: Cheryl Rose and Leslie Minton

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Broadening Educational Access to Mathematics in Maine (1998-2003)
BEAMM, a National Science Foundation Local Systemic Change Initiative, was a 5 year partnership of 7 Maine school districts. BEAMM provided 100 hours of professional development to more than 500 K-8 teachers. The focus of the professional development was to understand mathematical ideas and pedagogy for long term student achievement; create student-centered classrooms by using exemplary instruction, curriculum materials, and assessment practices; and to reflect on practices and participate in collegial discussions about teaching and learning.

BEAMM Sites: Sanford, MSAD #60, MSAD #34, Union 106, Union 90, MSAD #63, Union 96
Project Director: Cheryl Rose

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