University of Maine System Math Science Teacher Excellence Collaborative

Maine Mathematics And Science Alliance, Augusta ME

Investigators

Abstract

This project is a partnership of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) and the three largest campuses in the University of Maine System: the Univ. of Maine - Orono, the Univ. of Maine - Farmington, and the Univ. of Southern Maine, which collectively produce over 80% of the certified teachers in the State each year. These partners are collaborating to increase the number of qualified mathematics and science teachers graduating from the different campuses; to increase the retention of teachers in their first three years by building "cross-tier" support groups of university faculty, practicing teachers, and students; and to improve the quality of mathematics and science education for prospective teachers at the three campuses through active interactions among faculty from Arts and Sciences, faculty from Education, and grade K-12 teachers. The project is motivated by the need: 1) to reverse the decline in numbers of qualified K-12 mathematics and science teachers that is currently projected to occur over the next decade in Maine, and 2) to address the fact that one third of Maine's current mathematics and science teachers teach "out of area".