AREA UNIVERSITIES CREATE CENTER FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION
In a regional effort to enhance teacher professional growth and student achievement in mathematics and science, The University of Akron, Cleveland State University and Kent State University formed the Northeast Ohio Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teacher Education on Aug. 30.
The center merges the existing strengths of the three institutions in mathematics and science to further engage college faculty and K-12 teachers in inquiry teaching and learning.
Funded by a four-year grant from the Ohio Board of Regents, a contract from the Ohio Resource Center and matching funds from the three institutions, the center is the first of five in the state. The Ohio Resource Center, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland Municipal Schools, the Cleveland City, Akron and Canton Public Schools and the Aurora, Kent, Stow-Munroe Falls and Streetsboro City Schools are among the school districts participating in this project.
Officials from the three partnering universities say the establishment of the center recognizes the importance of mathematics and science as keys to the economic and social well being of the state and its citizens.
“In today’s knowledge economy, students must be well prepared in the fields of mathematics and science,” says Luis M. Proenza, president of UA. “The center is an investment in the state’s economic development and vitality as it will improve the mathematics and science knowledge and skills of our future workforce.”
“With 40 percent of Ohio’s population within a 30-mile drive of the three universities, the center offers a unique opportunity to directly affect a significant and diverse population of K-16 faculty and students,” adds Carol Cartwright, president of Kent State University.
Michael Schwartz, president of Cleveland State University, says the center will enhance pre-service and in-service mathematics and science education programs.
“Mathematics and science continue to rank at low performance levels on state proficiency tests, Schwartz says. “The center will be a resource to the region to improve these critical areas of K-16 schooling.”
The Northeast Ohio Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teacher Education, located at Cleveland State University, Kent State University and The University of Akron, will begin to work with local school districts in this academic year.
Building on educational research investments from the past decade, the center’s goal is to make basic changes in the educational methods used to teach mathematics and science subjects to students.
The center will identify and develop best teaching practices, and will put those practices into effect in two ways.
First, students in education programs will be taught those best practices and will see them used in courses they take to attain their teaching degrees. Secondly, the Center will work with local school districts to integrate those best practices in K-12 programs throughout northeast Ohio.
David McConnell, UA professor of geology, is the center’s director. Joanne E. Goodell, assistant professor of mathematics at Cleveland State University, and Patricia Koontz, professor of education at Kent State University, are regional directors for the center.
