January-February, 2000 Update
The America Reads and America Counts offices have geared up for another successful semester of FWS tutoring. In just the last month alone, roughly 150 campuses have joined America Reads and over 100 have committed to America Counts. Much of the increased interest in these efforts is due in part to the wonderfully rich programs already existing across the country--the Reads and Counts fever is evidently contagious! A big thanks to all of you who have encouraged other campuses to join this critical endeavor.
AMERICA COUNTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:
Interested individuals are invited to attend an America Counts information session, hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, on April 13, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Chicago Hyatt Regency, Acapulco Room. Participants will get an introduction to the "Math Partners" tutor training materials and will have an opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges of building high-quality programs.. To register, please call 1-877-220-9684 or send an e-mail to america.counts@ed.gov and include the following information: Your name, title, institution (or affiliation), and phone number. The seating capacity is limited to 100 persons.In May 2000, representatives from the Corporation for National Service, the Eisenhower Regional Math and Science Consortia, and others in the math education community nationwide will learn about the "Math Partners" tutor training materials (currently available at www.edc.org/mathpartners) during a two-day training session in Newton, MA. Attendees will be encouraged to organize regional training sessions and/or serve as a resource to interested campuses. Further information will be forthcoming.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Conference: "Tutoring Programs for Struggling Readers," on March 16, 2000 Whether you are just beginning a tutoring program or would like to enhance your existing program, plan to join America Reads at the 15th Annual Rutgers Invitational Symposium on Education (RISE) co-sponsored by the Rutger's Graduate School of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. Presenters include reading and tutoring specialists; Jean Marzollo, author of the I Spy children's books, and Mary Beth Blegen, the U.S. Department of Education 1996 National Teacher of the Year. Participation is limited to 250. The registration fee is $39 and includes program materials, continental breakfast and a buffet luncheon. For registration information call (732) 932-7496, extension 205.Satellite Town Meetings: On March 21, 2000, the U.S. Department of Education will host a satellite town meeting on "Nurturing Readers: Building and Sustaining Reading Programs". On April 18, 2000, the U.S. Department of Education will host a satellite town meeting, from 8:00-9:00pm, on "Multiplying Excellence: Ensuring Quality Mathematics and Science Teaching." For more information, please visit http://www.ed.gov/inits/stm/1999-2000.html
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: GOT MATH?
Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, MA, is piloting a new America Counts FWS program, titled, "Got Math?," that involves local industry in helping young students overcome math anxiety and enjoy learning. Got Math? brings together FWS mentors and local elementary children in a year-long program that shows students, through hands-on activities, the connections between school and mathematics in the real world. Since Pittsfield is the corporate headquarters of GE plastics, program coordinators consulted with Apex Engineering to design a "math of plastics" module that allows students to measure, weigh, draw designs, make their own plastic key chains, and visit a manufacturing plant to witness firsthand how the molding and manufacturing process depends on precise mathematical calculations. To learn more about Got Math?, or how your campus can design a similar program, please send an e-mail to lhall@cc.berkshire.org, or write to Got Math?, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT AMERICA READS and AMERICA COUNTS:
Visit the newly updated America Reads and America Counts web sites (http://www.ed.gov/americareads/ and http://www.ed.gov/americacounts/ ).
Join the America Reads*America Counts Listserv, an information and discussion forum for reading and mathematics tutoring. To participate, simply send an e-mail to lists@lyris.etr.org and in the message area type: subscribe americareads Firstname Lastname.
Contact the America Reads Challenge office at:
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-0107
1-800-USA-LEARN
americareads@ed.gov
Contact the America Counts office at:
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-8200 1-877-220-9684
HREF="mailto:America.Counts@ed.gov">America.Counts@ed.gov
