Education

Closing the Middle School Achievement Gap in Mathematics

Our region is a global hub of technological innovation and discovery. However, a majority of our students are not adequately prepared to contribute to the workforce that is the region's economic engine. The focus of this strategy is to close the middle school achievement gap in mathematics that separates low-income students and students of color from others in preparing for college and future success.

The education strategy has a two-pronged approach. Supporting in-school strategies which seek to increase the effectiveness of instruction during school hours and out-of-school strategies, which seek to increase the number and effectiveness of extended learning opportunities.

 
Out of School Strategies In School Strategies
RFP Release: August 23, 2013
Info Session:
Proposals Due: 
Grantees Notified:  		RFP Release: November 1, 2013
Info Session:
Proposals Due: 
Grantees Notified:

 
Targets the improvement of student access to high quality, extended learning programs after school and during the summer. Targets improvement in the way teachers teach and students learn mathematics.

Grants support programs that:

  • Offer quality mathematics-specific instruction from staff with mathematics expertise.
  • Offer curriculum that improves students' problem-solving skills and requires a higher order of questioning, analyzing and reasoning.
  • Build strong partnerships with parents, schools, school district administrators.
  • Assess students proficiencies and use data to monitor progress and provide individualized instruction.
  • Create a positive learning environment with high expectations for all student

Grants support teacher professional development, specifically programs that strengthen:

  • Mathematics content expertise and the implementation of effective, research-based teaching strategies.
  • Professional learning communities.
  • Assessments of students proficiencies and use data to monitor progress and provide individualized instruction.
  • Program documentation and incorporation best practices and feedback.
  • A culture of high expectations of achievement for all students.