Gila County News Spotlight

Fifty-seven Math Teachers in Six Counties Participate in Rural Partnership Mathematics Grant

The state Rural Partnership Mathematics grant, written and administrated the Gila County Education Service Agency, will affect every high school in Arizona.  Dr. Linda O’Dell, Gila County School Superintendent, is the Project Director.  Fifty-seven secondary math teachers from Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Navajo, Apache, and Yavapai counties are each receiving a $2,496 stipend to participate in this ground-breaking 14-month partnership. “This challenging project employs several elements that research shows have a positive impact on teacher training, including content instruction and pedagogical modeling, collaborative workgroups, observation of teachers’ instruction, continuous assessment and feedback, and a leadership cadre,” observed Dr. O’Dell.    “A unique feature of this project is the use of sophisticated interactive technologies to engage participants across several rural counties.  We are hopeful that our efforts will create a usable model for future professional development activities in rural areas.”

Dr. Betz Frederick and Professor Ken Hurley lead the $577,000 Rural Partnership Mathematics grant with two specific purposes:  (1) increase the math content knowledge base for all secondary math teacher participants, and (2) develop a fourth year math course to satisfy the requirement recently passed by the Arizona legislature.  Even though the math AIMS test is conducted at the completion of 10^th grade, all Arizona high school students must complete four years of math instruction.  The math requirement is that all students graduating in 2013 or after must complete four years of math.  These math courses shall consist of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II (or its equivalent) and an additional course with significant math content as determined by district governing boards or charter schools.

    Dr. Betz Frederick and Professor Ken Hurley, leaders of the Gila ESA RPM grant

Dr. Frederick said the development of the new fourth year math course will use the College Work Readiness Standards for grades 11-12 and will be built around discrete mathematics and modeling – algebra, geometry, and statistics/probability. (See detailed explanation below.)   Dr. Frederick added that, “The fourth year math course curriculum developed through this grant will be available for use by every high school in Arizona.”  Professor Hurley has been “impressed with how well and efficiently the teachers work together while communications are often through ITV or online.

Teacher participants in the grant attend two face-to-face meetings, four ITV sessions, and complete online assignments.  In addition to their stipend, participants also receive three college math credits.  

Participants L-R: Tanya Gantt (Globe Educ Center), Rebecca Johnstone (Liberty HS), Elizabeth Ostrowski (Globe Educ Center), Colleen DeRose (Libert HS), Nacelle Reynolds (Young Schools)

What is discrete mathematics and modeling?
Dr. Frederick explained that, “students learn to become critical consumers of the quantitative data that surround them every day, knowledgeable decision makers who use logical reasoning, and mathematical thinkers who can use their quantitative skills to solve problems related to a wide range of situations. Students apply principles of discrete mathematics, probability, and statistics, as well as building on their knowledge of algebra and geometry, to model and solve complex problems in a range of relevant contexts.”

Participant Rick Reed (Gila County Technology Integration Specialist)