Information on the Appalachian Mathematics and Science Partnership
What is the Appalachian Mathematical Sciences Partnership?
The Appalachian Mathematics and Science Partnership (AMSP)
is funded by a five-year grant from the National
Science Foundation. The AMSP involves elementary, middle,
secondary, and university personnel in a coordinated effort
to improve mathematics and science education in Appalachia.
Details on personnel, goals, and objectives may be found
below. The AMSP builds on current efforts such as
our own department's Communicating Mathematics
project, the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI) and the
Appalachian Collaborative Center for Learning, Assessment,
and Instruction in Mathematics (ACCLAIM).
The Appalachian Mathematical Sciences Partnership (AMSP) is a comprehensive
partnership of educational institutions and regional agencies to reform
science, mathematics, and technology education in central Appalachia. The
broad long-term objectives are:
- To eliminate the "achievement gap" in mathematics, science, and
technology for regional preK-12 students
- To build an integrated preK-12 and higher education system to insure
the selection, development, and career-long support of a high-quality
mathematics and science teacher workforce
Funding from the National Science Foundation will suppport:
- Developing courses for preservice teachers as well as workshops for
in-service teachers to improve content of PreK-12 mathematics courses
- Ongoing professional development of PreK-12 grade teachers and
administrators
- Student learning opportunities including parent and community
engagement
- Research which will advance the understanding of education reform in
rural school environments
In addition to funding for the outreach activities, the grant will co-fund
two new faculty positions at the tenured level in the College of Arts and
Sciences. These two positions will be co-funded by the grant and the
Provost's office for the duration of the grant. Faculty members
in these positions will be expected to support outreach activities
associated with the grant.
Who is Involved?
The principal investigators are:
Professor Paul Eakin, Department of Mathematics, University of Kentucky
Professor Ronald K. Atwood, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Kentucky
Dr. Stephen Henderson, Director, Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative
Professor Carl W. Lee, Department of Mathematics, University of Kentucky
Dr. Wimberly Royster, Vice-President for Research Emeritus, University of
Kentucky
The advisory board for this project consists of:
Dr. John Conway, Head, Department of Mathematics, University of
Tennessee
Dr. Bernard Madison, University of Arkansas and MAA
Dr. Daniel P. Maki, Professor and Chair, University of Indiana
Dr. William E. Kirwan, Chancellor, University of Maryland System
Dr. Ertle Thompson, Professor Emeritus, University of Virginia
Institutions involved in the partnership are:
The Kentucky Science and Technology Council
(ARSI),
The University of Kentucky,
Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Pikeville College,
Union College, University of Virginia's College at Wise, University of
Tennessee, and Somerset Community College;
the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, the Appalachian College
Association, Kentucky Gear-Up, and the Toyota Corporation; 38 central and
eastern Kentucky school districts, 9 Tennessee school districts, and 5
western Virginia school districts
Mathematics and Science Outreach in Appalachia
- Appalachian Rural Systemic
Initiative (ARSI)
ARSI prepares students in rural and economically disadvantaged school
districts in Appalachia to achieve greater understanding
of mathematics and science. This initiative, designed specifically for the
region, impacts rural, isolated areas where at least 30 percent of
school-aged children live in poverty. ARSI's targeted areas include 66
counties in North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
ARSI's goals are
- To strengthen knowledge and skills of K-12 teachers so they can teach
mathematics and science more effectively
- To establish a timely and coordinated system to help schools deliver
active, standards-based teaching and learning
- To build regional partnerships, local community involvement, and support
for long-term educational improvements
-
Appalachian Collaborative Center for
Learning, Assessment, and Instruction in Mathematics (ACCLAIM)
The Appalachian Collaborative Center for Learning, Assessment, and
Instruction in Mathematics (ACCLAIM) will build a mathematics
infrastructure in the Appalachian regions of Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and
West Virginia, providing a model and resources for other isolated, rural,
poverty-stricken areas across country. ACCLAIM will link resources from the
University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, Marshall University,
Ohio University, and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with the
Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI).
The two primary goals of ACCLAIM in these Appalachian regions are
- to build mathematics capacity and expertise through advanced degree
programs in mathematics, job-embedded professional development for middle
and high school mathematics, and research that connects mathematics and
rural education, and
- to improve the quality of mathematics teacher education
programs and mathematics teaching at the middle and high school levels in
these Appalachian regions through the development of collaborative networks
and innovative delivery systems.