Improving Educator Quality
In the fall of 2008, the College of Education was awarded a significant grant of federal funds to be administered by the 21st Century Education Enterprise. The Improving Educator Quality (IEQ) grant focuses on increasing the academic achievement of all students through professional development initiatives that ensure K-12 teachers and administrators are highly qualified. With this project, Morehead State University plans to increase mathematics and science achievement of middle school students in the school districts of Bath, Floyd, Menifee, Morgan, Martin and Owsley counties through the integration of scientifically researched instructional strategies that have been found effective in math and science achievement. This project’s objectives are (1) to foster the development of active, engaged, independent scientific and mathematical thinkers in the middle school classrooms and (2) to foster the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that support learning strategies used by science and mathematics teachers that result in active, engaged, and independent middle school scientific and mathematical thinkers.
The program has had thirty teachers from six districts attend data assessment retreats. These data retreats consist of focus groups of a math, science, and special education teachers who meet with the professional development coordinator. In these meetings they analyze their CATS and NCLB data in three phases: prepare, inquire, and act. By analyzing this data, teachers and other educators learn how to interpret and analyze data reports while in turn understanding the different types of assessments and various scales used. This will enable the teachers to create data overviews to see patterns, identify learner-centered problems and find patterns or inconsistencies that may explain why problems occur. Finally this will enable teachers to develop a shared understanding of what effective instruction looks like, to develop action plans, and to assess progress in order to meet goals for student improvement.
After the teachers attend the data retreat, they will attend a Mathematics and Science summer academy. This academy is a five-day summer institute based on data conducted during the data retreat and scientifically based research strategies in math and science so teachers can develop standards-based integrated science and math modules and develop a professional development plan.
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