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Technology-Facilitated Scale-Up of Mathematics Instruction in High Needs Schools

View a PowerPoint presentation outlining the project here.

A proposal from Old Dominion University's Center for Educational Partnerships is the highest ranked finalist in the scale-up category of the U.S. Department of Education's Investing in Innovation (i3) Grants competition, and is expected to receive the largest single award of nearly $25 million dollars.  The project, "A Technology-facilitated Scale-up of a Proven Model of Mathematics Instruction in High Needs Schools," focuses on providing students in high-need middle schools with increased access to rigorous and engaging coursework in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) via scaled-up implementation of a proven cooperative learning model in mathematics instruction, called STAD-Math. The project also incorporates an innovative, high-quality, multi-tiered approach to professional development that employs school-based math coaching, an online platform, and teacher-made videos of their own practices. The use of technology will play a key role in providing professional development to mathematics teachers in rural and urban areas across the nation in a highly cost-effective way, linking them together in a professional learning community that will enhance sustainability. Expected outcomes are statistically significant improvements in math achievement among students by the third year of implementation, including closing achievement gaps for limited English proficient students, and students with disabilities.  The project is designed serve 135,000 students in 185 high need middle schools across the U.S. over 5 years. 

Middle school has been identified as a critical period for math learning, a period when students must develop mathematical understandings that lay the intellectual foundations for advanced study in STEM areas if they are to continue in these fields.  At the same time, data show that participation and achievement in STEM subjects falls off in middle school, particularly among traditionally under-represented groups such as African-Americans, females, students of low socio-economic status, students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.  The interventions to be implemented in this project are designed to help schools turn this trend around, boost student achievement in STEM subjects, increase access for all students to rigorous STEM curricula, and increase overall participation in advanced STEM learning.

The awards are contingent upon the applicants obtaining matching funds from the private sector equal to at least 5 percent of the grant award. The Center for Educational Partnerships at Old Dominion University will need to secure $1.25 million in private commitments by Dec. 9; actual expenditures from this funding would be spread out over a five-year period.

Read about the project in the news:

Largest Single Grant Expected to Go to Old Dominion in Round Two of i3 Contest

Old Dominion Wins Big for STEM Education in High Needs Schools in 2nd Round of Innovation Grants

Old Dominion i3 Project One of Few that will Address Unique Learning Needs of English Language Learners

Old Dominion's Center for Educational Partnerships Poised to Receive $25 Million to Improve Mathematics Achievement and Access for High-Need Rural & Urban Students

STEM in High Need Rural 7 Urban Schools is Focus of Old Dominion's  #1 Highest Rated i3 Application

Old Dominion to Win Largest i3 to Enhance STEM Education, Better Prepare High Need Students for the Rigors of College

Old Dominion's Scale-up Aimed at Increasing Access to Challenging Math Coursework for High Need Students is Largest Single, Highest Rated i3 Award

Investing in Community Change:  Old Dominion Awarded largest Grant Focused on Scaling Up Innovative Strategies to Provide high Need Students with Access to Quality Mathematics Education

Old Dominion i3 Project Implementation to Improve STEM Access in Rural School Districts

NCTM: Math Fares Well in i3 Competition; Old Dominion Wins Largest Award to Improve Access to Challenging Mathematics Courses

Old Dominion i3 Grant to Have Real Impact in Critical Need Areas of STEM Education and Rural Communities

Old Dominion at Top of 23 Finalists in 2011 i3 Competition; Wins Largest Award of $25 Million

Old Dominion i3 Winner to Scale Up Evidence-based Innovation that Provides High-Need Students with Increased Access to Challenging Mathematics Instruction

Old Dominion Only i3 Applicant with Enough Evidence to Win in Scale-up Category

Over 600 i3 Applicants; Old Dominion Only One with Enough Evidence of Success to be Eligible for Scale-Up Grant

Winning i3 Applicants One Step Closer to Receiving Portion of $150 Million to be Awarded by USDOE; Old Dominion Will Receive $25 Million to Scale up Mathematics Program with Strong Evidence of Success in High Need Rural 7 Urban Schools, Contingent Upon 5% in Private Funding

Old Dominion Chosen from a Pool of Nearly 600 Applicants; Only Project with Enough Evidence for Scale-up

ASCD SmartBrief: Old Dominion Finalist in i3 Competition; Slated for Largest $25 Million Award to Increase Access to Challenging Math Courses for High-Need Rural & Urban Students

Arne Duncan on Old Dominion and Other i3 Finalists:  "Investing in these vital innovations across the country has the potential to dramatically enhance learning and accelerate student performance and to do so cost effectively."

Important for i3 Awards:  Finalists Must Secure a Private Match.  Old Dominion Set to Receive $25 Million to Enhance Math Achievement and Access for High Need Students with 5% Private Match.

 

The Center for Educational Partnerships
Old Dominion University
Research Park 1   ▪   4111 Monarch Way   ▪   Suite 3117   ▪   Norfolk, VA 23508
Phone: (757) 683-5449       Fax:  (757) 683-5716
TCEP@odu.edu