In Wisconsin, math teachers and university staff members statewide are partnering to improve the overall student achievement in mathematics. The seven partnerships are utilizing the federal Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant program to help them further student growth in mathematics.

“The projects, two new and five continuing that total $1.5 million, are based on a needs assessment and will impact more than 720 teachers,” according to WEAU.

“The projects help classroom teachers gain more content knowledge and provide higher education science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty with the opportunity to partner with the K-12 system.”

Educators will be able to participate in a two-week summer institute with a minimum of 80 hours featuring direct interactions between teachers and STEM faculty. Participants will also be able to have a minimum of 20 hours of school and classroom visits to see how their peers are teaching STEM courses.

“Research clearly shows that student achievement improves when their teachers have a deep understanding of the subject area and multiple methods to bring that content alive for their students,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers, according to the report.

“These partnership grants provide the training and support teachers need to implement Wisconsin’s mathematics standards, which will help our students achieve at the higher levels demanded by the globally competitive economy.”

This is just one of the many opportunities that educators have to gain a better understanding of how to improve student engagement and foster better learning habits. It may be geared towards a focus in STEM courses but might also make for a beneficial practice in other subjects as well as other locations nationwide. The Wisconsin partnerships have also gain nationwide recognition, according to the report.

“To be eligible for a grant, the lead school district had to have at least 10 percent of students from low-income families; have a Rural Education Achievement Program or be a small, rural school district; or have student mathematics achievement that is less than 65 percent proficient based on 2013-14 statewide test score data,” according to the article.

“Funding for the Mathematics and Science Partnership grants is part of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title II, Improving Teacher Quality Grant Program.”

The proper investments here are both time and money, two things that should never be wasted. It’s safe to say that these partnerships are making the most of both in the name of improved STEM learning.

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Article by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor.