05/30 - The University of Scranton Awarded Grant for Scranton Schools Mathematics Partnership

The University of Scranton’s Education Department has been awarded $189,680 to lead an initiative designed to improve mathematics achievement of 4th and 7th grade students in Scranton. “The Scranton Partnership for the Improvement of Student Achievement in Mathematics” focuses on improving the students’ understanding of mathematics by developing the skills of educators and parents.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Education awarded the competitive Eisenhower Grant for Professional Development to the university to supplement a collaborative project with the Scranton School District and Diocese of Scranton’s Catholic schools located in Scranton. Each state administers the federal Eisenhower Grant Program.

“The school districts and the university worked closely together to develop this program and take full advantage of the professional development opportunities available to our teachers,” said John Williams, Ed.D., superintendent of the Scranton School District.

“The Diocesan Catholic school educators participating in this project welcome the opportunity to collaborate, share and discuss the best practices with their fellow public school and university colleagues,” said Patrick Cawley, assistant superintendent for curriculum development, Diocese of Scranton Catholic schools. “When teachers are given the opportunity to expand their content knowledge and teaching strategies through collaborative professional development activities such as this project, then it follows that their students will have greater opportunities to increase their knowledge and improve their performance.”

“We are looking forward to even more collaborative programs with The University of Scranton for workforce development in the future,” added Dr. Williams.

Educators from The University of Scranton, the Scranton School District and the Diocese of Scranton announced the collaborative grant to revitalize math education at a demonstration held in Jon Hawk’s classroom at South Scranton Intermediate School.

“This is a truly integrated approach,” said David A. Wiley, Ed.D., professor and chair of the Education Department of The University of Scranton. “The initiative involves university faculty from the both the education and mathematics departments, current teachers and pre-service education students.”

“The public and private schools are also making a significant contribution of time and commitment to make this process work,” added Barbara Cozza, Ph.D., associate education professor and co-author of the grant proposal with Dr. Wiley.

The initiative will use proven “hands-on” techniques that involve real-life situations to teach math concepts. A total of 70 faculty, students and teachers from the university, the Scranton School District and Catholic schools in Scranton will attend a nine-day academy from June 17 to June 25. Techniques learned will be implemented during the 2002/2003 school year. Parent forums will also be conducted throughout the school year to help parents understand the process of learning mathematics.

“The techniques wrap math concepts into the real world of the students,” explained Dr. Wiley.

The Eisenhower Professional Development grant is awarded through a rigorous competitive grant application process for the improvement of mathematics and science education.

According to a letter from George Shevlin, deputy secretary for post secondary higher education, Pennsylvania Department of Education, the university’s proposal was cited for its incorporation of “… rich academic content and effective strategies to ensure that all students have the opportunity to achieve Pennsylvania’s challenging student performance standards.”

“The Scranton Partnership for the Improvement of Student Achievement in Mathematics” consists of mathematics teachers in the Scranton School District, Catholic Schools in Scranton, the Education Department and mathematics department of the University and pre-service education students.