A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

November 9, 1994                    Melinda Kitchell                                                              (202) 401-1008

FEDERAL GRANTS SUPPORT MODEL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION PROJECTS

Showing teachers ways to improve their skills in teaching math and science by using technology and taking full advantage of professional development opportunities is the goal of 16 projects that have received nearly $3.5 million in support from the U.S. Department of Education.

Eight projects will serve as models to help teachers strengthen their technology-related skills to improve the way teachers teach and students learn math and science in grades K-12. Two projects will share ways that teachers can encourage female and minority students to study and excel in math and science. In addition, five projects will serve as models for teacher professional development projects designed to improve student achievement in environmental education.

"These Eisenhower projects will accelerate the current trend of improved student achievement in math and science," said Sharon P. Robinson, assistant secretary for educational research and improvement. "Meaningful opportunities for teacher professional development are critical to improving instruction so all students will have access to a challenging curriculum and high quality instruction."

For example, the University of Memphis' Project SMART (Science and Math Advancement Radically Raised Through Technology) is designed to provide sustained, intensive and quality professional development for teachers in the use of technology. The project will serve 6,700 children and 400 teachers in 11 schools under the University of Memphis Professional Development School Partnership. Summer institutes, workshop sessions in schools, Lead Teacher Teams that provide on-site in-service training, and a model technology classroom will be used to help teachers improve teaching of math and science.

The grants are authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended.

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