Tennessee Partners with Universities to Improve Math, Science Instruction
NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen and Education Commissioner Timothy Webb today announced new grants to institutions of higher education to provide research-based professional development to K-12 teachers of math and science. These Math and Science Partnership grants create a three-year relationship between a university and area school systems to enhance teaching of these critical subject areas.
“A solid foundation in math and science teaches students the problem-solving and analytical skills that are so valuable to success in any career,” Governor Bredesen said. “Tennessee is working to ensure its K-12 teachers are equipped with the latest proven strategies for helping students master these critical skills and achieve in math and science.”
Teachers, and ultimately students, in thirty school systems across Tennessee will benefit from the professional development provided through these grants. The funding will support the following partnerships:
University | School Systems | Grant Amount | Program Title |
Lipscomb University | Maury, Davidson, Lebanon, Robertson and Sumner | $300,000 | SEE-Math for Middle School Teachers |
Middle Tennessee State University | Bedford, DeKalb, Hamilton, Houston, Meigs, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Steward, Warren and Wilson | $757,359 | UMATH-Understanding Math for 3rd – 5th Grade Teachers |
Tennessee Tech University | Cumberland, Fentress, Hamilton, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Sequatchie, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren and White | $566,801 | Developing K-5 Teachers’ Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching |
University of Tennessee-Martin | Huntingdon SSD and Union City | $250,000 | MATCHES-Mathematical Applications, Technology and Content for High School Education Standards |
University of Tennessee-Martin | Jackson-Madison, Union City and Weakley | $250,000 | Institutes for Chemistry and Physics |
“Educators know better than anyone that learning never stops, particularly when it comes to finding the best way to teach students emerging skills,” Commissioner Webb said. “These partnerships provide valuable educator professional development to the school systems where students need it the most.”
Partnerships must include an engineering, math, or science department of an institution of higher education and a high-need school district. Partnerships may also include additional engineering, math, science, or teacher preparation departments, additional school districts, public charter schools or private schools. The partnership may also incorporate a business, nonprofit organization or for-profit organization that has demonstrated effectiveness in improving the quality of math and science teachers.
To learn more about the Math and Science Partnership grants, visit http://www.state.tn.us/education/mgrants.shtml.
For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.
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