The Upper Midwest LEADERS-in-Math Project Preparing Leaders for Education and Professional Development in the Effort to Renew School Mathematics

University Of Iowa, Iowa City IA

Investigators

Abstract

Submitted under the guidelines for Teacher Retention and Renewal, this 49-month project is "designed to develop a cadre of teachers, leaders, supervisors and collegiate mathematics educators who will act as change agents responsible for implementing standards-based high school mathematics reform" [project summary]. More specifically, the project provides (a) comprehensive professional development for 256 high school teachers in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin so they can effectively implement national goals for standards-based mathematics education through implementation of the Core-Plus instructional materials in their classrooms; (b) leadership development for 16 master teachers who are experienced with Core-Plus; (c) leadership development, structured workshop and classroom observation, and preservice or inservice leadership experience for eight college professors and eight school mathematics curriculum supervisors; and (d) experiences for participants to work with all stakeholders, such as parents and administrators, on behalf of standards-based renewal of school mathematics education. The project's teacher-participants engage in professional development in two cadres, each for two years, for at least six weeks over the life of the project; university/college professors and school mathematics supervisors participate for approximately four weeks.