Building Capacity to Modernize a Master of Arts in Teaching Program by Infusing Data Science and Analytics

Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta GA

Investigators

Abstract

This project aims to build the capacity to address STEM teacher shortages in high-need schools, an important national need. The project will use a holistic approach to create a pathway for STEM professionals to earn mathematics teacher certification. As a part of this effort, the existing Master of Arts in Teaching curriculum at Clark Atlanta University will be revamped and modernized into an innovative 14-month distance learning program. The newly designed Master of Arts in Teaching program will enable graduates to gain the support, skills, and competence needed to excel as a teacher in a high-need school. The Master of Arts in Teaching program will also provide enrolled students with opportunities to use data science techniques to analyze data that can transform the teaching and learning process. This project at Clark Atlanta University, a Historically Black College and University, includes a partnership with Clayton County Public Schools. The goal of the project is to enhance the curriculum of the institution's Master of Arts in Teaching program to support student enrollment, retention, and graduation, ultimately producing well-prepared mathematics teachers that have sound content knowledge, effective pedagogical strategies, and data science skills. The project will focus on five objectives: (1) Construct a proposal to restructure the Master of Arts in Teaching (Mathematics) program for currency and marketability; (2) Redesign course content in the Master of Arts in Teaching program to embed data science and analytics modules; (3) Reinforce partnerships with internal stakeholders; (4) Survey organizations to determine the potential for substantive partnerships with external stakeholders; and (5) Identify resources for a future cost-sharing commitment. The outlined activities have potential to lead to the development of a model program for preparing underrepresented science and mathematics teachers to incorporate data science and analytics teaching methods into mathematics curricula in high-need schools. This Capacity Building project is supported through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (Noyce). The Noyce program supports talented STEM undergraduate majors and professionals to become effective K-12 STEM teachers and experienced, exemplary K-12 STEM teachers to become STEM master teachers in high-need school districts. It also supports research on the persistence, retention, and effectiveness of K-12 STEM teachers in high-need school districts. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.