This project was created for our surrounding math teachers to receive the proper preparation they need to be highly qualified teachers. Our first Summer Institute I was held July 12-23, 2004 at the Cookeville High School. During the Summer Institute the project addressed several needs such as:

• Limited formal math content preparation
• Limited professional development of middle grades math teachers and 7-12 special education teachers
• Small percentages of teachers highly qualified in math for grades 7-8
• Achievement gaps between regular students and students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students
• Low 3-year math gains
• Small percentage of students scoring "advanced" on Gateway Algebra, Foundations, and CRT 8th grade math

In conducting the project during the summer. It will enable man teachers to attend and achieve many goals. The project goals and objectives of the project are as follows:

• Teachers will become highly qualified by passing Praxis II Middle Grades Math Test
• Demonstrate increasing competence in selected topics in College Algebra, Number Systems, Measurement, Statistics& Probability, Geometry, and Trigonometry that align with TN 6-8th and Algebra I Gateway standards
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills as measured by NAEP
• Implement SBR classroom practices in instruction & assessment
• Demonstrate success with using intensive interventions with their most at-risk students
• Report decreased math achievement gaps between regular students and students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students

Program Activities and Timeline

• Selection and pre-assessment of participants [change]
  • Teachers were to be pre-assessed and grouped using Middle Grades Math Praxis II
  • Due LEA guidelines, moneys was not released until contracts were signed and received
  • Deadline for Math Praxis passed before money was released
  • Praxis was rescheduled for November 11, 2004
  • All but one participant will take the Praxis on 9/11/04; one will take the Praxis in November due to family circumstances
   
• Two weeks of professional development institutes
• Completed
• Pre-Post test scores administered and analyzed
• Teacher evaluations completed
 
• Four 3-hour seminars per semester in each district
• Planning dates/times - due to grant ending in March, 4 seminars will be scheduled during the first semester and 2 during the second semester
  
 
• Modeling and practicing interventions with at-risk students
  • Planning dates/time - instructors will meet in pre-assigned groups for seminar instruction and individual mentoring
    
   
• Annual re-assessment of content gains
  • Teachers will register to take the Praxis in fall of 2006
  • New teacher participants (year II) will also take the Praxis at this time
   
• Advanced options for proficient teachers
  • Based on Praxis scores - proficient teachers will be identified
   
• Tutoring as needed
  • Based on Praxis scores - teachers needing tutoring will be identified
   
• Electronic learning community
  • Under construction by the TTU Math Department
   
• Classroom Observations
  • Classroom observation form developed for use by district instructional supervisors and TTU math educator. Approximately 20 teachers will be randomly selected for observation.
   
• Interaction with students
  • Four students have been identified by each participating teacher who is most at risk of math failure to provide intensive interventions with them
  • Case studies will be developed on students
  • Students will receive stipends
   
• Collection of Student Achievement Data
  • TCAP data, Algebra I gateway and Math Foundations End-of-Course Tests for each district will be collected in May
  • Information will be disagreated (student economic and learning status) for project documentation and evaluation