Improved Math Instruction Focus of Innovative Workshop

Contact:

Princeton, N.J. (February 19, 2009) —

ducational Testing Service, Tennessee State University and Fisk University are holding a free Strengthening Instruction in Tennessee Elementary Schools: Focus on Mathematics (SITES-M) workshop for elementary and preservice teachers. Registration is free and includes workshop materials, breakfast, lunch and gifts.

WHAT:
SITES-M Workshop titled, “The Three Cs: Innovative Content, Concepts and Components of Good Mathematics Teaching.” The interactive workshop is designed to improve math instruction in the early grades. The focus of this workshop is on fractions. Participants will learn how to use Tennessee’s math standards in the classroom planning, incorporate techniques to enhance the teaching of math content, and identify ways to use evidence of student learning to strengthen instruction.
WHO:
The workshop is open to all elementary school teachers in the area
WHEN:
Saturday, February 21, 2009
8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
WHERE:
Martin Professional Development Center
2400 Fairfax Ave.
Nashville, TN 37204

Conceived by TSU and ETS, and developed at the request of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators, SITES-M is in the second year of a five-year program that includes Saturday math workshops, innovative mathematics-centered learning communities, Framework Observation training, tri-weekly math challenges for students, and conventional measurement of pupils’ learning and teacher effectiveness.

SITES-M concluded its initial year with much to show for its efforts. In collaboration with a consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), ETS and Tennessee State University have been working together to provide research-based professional development and products to HBCU faculty, in-service K – 4 teachers in partner schools, and pre-service teachers. Data are being collected to evaluate the project and its influence on the participants' teaching and learning. The goals of the project are:

  1. to improve the knowledge of mathematics for teaching and improve the teaching of mathematics among K – 4 teachers in Tennessee HBCU partner elementary schools
  2. to improve the mathematics proficiency of K – 4 pupils of teachers in participating schools
  3. to renew the HBCU course syllabi in mathematics and mathematics education

Participating HBCUs include TSU, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Knoxville College and Fisk University. Partner elementary schools include Cumberland Elementary and McKissack Professional Development School (Nashville), Cummings Elementary School (Memphis), Isaac Lane Technology Magnet School (Jackson) and Maynard Elementary School (Knoxville).

For more information regarding SITES-M and the workshop please visit www.tnstate.edu/sitesm/.

About ETS

At nonprofit ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education, as well as conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests, the GRE® test and The Praxis Series™ assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide.