©2003,
Appalachian Math Science Partnership, all rights reserved.
VISION
The Appalachian Mathematics and Science Partnership envisions
a system that supports and sustains delivery of high-quality P-16+ mathematics
and science education to all students in its target region. This system is
characterized
by:
• Teachers in the member districts and higher education institutions who
are well prepared in content and pedagogy, enthusiastic about their craft, and
committed to continual improvement and who work effectively together to implement
a standards-based curricular program for all students.
• Classrooms in which students are actively engaged in meaningful experiences
that are built around significant mathematics and science content; that enable
students to explore, reflect, interact, and build meaning that enhances conceptual
understanding; and that promote habits of mind that foster an inquiry approach
to learning.
• Administrators, school counselors, and community members who are knowledgeable
about standards-based mathematics and science and who actively support its equitable
implementation.
• Programs in the districts and teacher-preparation institutions that
are standards-based, vertically aligned and articulated, driven by policies
that expect and enable equitable access and high performance, and supported
by sufficient resources (financial, human, materials, time).
• A culture that views professional development as an ongoing process
of professional growth that begins in preservice preparation and extends throughout
an educator’s career; in which P-12 educators and college/university
educators value each other as colleagues and resources for continual growth;
and in which
member districts and higher education institutions work as partners to support
recruitment, preparation, induction, and retention of mathematics and science
teachers at all levels.
• A continuum of opportunities for persons at all
levels – from P-12 students through higher education faculty – to
experience mathematics and science as both teachers and learners, using mentoring
and partnering relationships to share their expertise and support each others’ continued
learning.
• Ongoing substantive partnerships between member districts and higher
education institutions that provide sharing of resources and expertise, access
to advanced study opportunities, and mechanisms to extend knowledge about teaching,
learning, and translating theory into practice.
The result of such a system is students who are interested and enthusiastic about
mathematics and science, who understand and appreciate the structure and methods
of the disciplines, and who demonstrate mastery of concepts at a level specified
by performance standards. A portion of these students elect to pursue further
study and eventual careers in mathematics, science, and technology. This includes
preparation as mathematics and science educators, ensuring an ongoing supply
of well-prepared and committed teachers for the next generation of students.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation
(ARSI) will create the Appalachian Mathematics and Science Partnership (AMSP),
a comprehensive partnership of educational institutions and regional agencies
to reform science, mathematics and technology (MST) education in central Appalachia.
The broad long-term objectives are to (1) eliminate the “achievement gap” in
MST for regional preK-12 students and (2) build an integrated preK-12 and higher
education system in this underserved area to insure the selection, development
and career-long support of a diverse and high quality mathematics and science
teacher workforce.
Four critical components address the needs of this region: (1) preservice teacher
and administrator education, (2) professional development of preK-12 personnel,
(3) student achievement including parent/community engagement, and (4) research
to advance the understanding of rural education reform.
The intellectual merit of the AMSP plan lies in its vision of a continuum of
MST teaching and learning experiences with extensive overlap and cross-participation
by all partners at all levels of interaction: students, teachers, administrators
and professors. AMSP expects a broader social impact because education reform
in this underserved region is key to advancing workforce development in a knowledge-based
economy and addressing regional social and economic issues.
MISSION
The mission of the Appalachian Mathematics
and Science Partnership is to enhance mathematics and science learning for all
students in its partner districts and teacher-preparation programs in partner
institutions, closing the “achievement
gap” and preparing students for success in mathematics, science, technology,
and teaching careers. This will be achieved by creating a regional partnership
that enhances preservice teacher preparation, inservice teacher quality, leadership
and support for implementing high-quality instruction, and student access to
advanced learning opportunities.
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