University receives $2 million from U.S. Department of Education to confront national math challenge
Grant will support research into UMass faculty-developed math teaching approaches shown to work across racial and socioeconomic lines
Massachusetts results to be released Friday at opening of James J. Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in Mathematics Education.
UMass Dartmouth's James J. Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in Mathematics Education has received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to examine new strategies to excite students about learning math, and increase the number and diversity of students in the math, science, and engineering pipeline.
The funds will support the Kaput Center's mission to democratize access to core ideas in mathematics through a program of research that integrates software known as SimCalc MathWorldsTM with associated curriculum and teacher training. The program was first developed by late UMass Dartmouth Math Professor James Kaput. The SimCalc approach uses computer animations, real-life examples, narrative stories and other engagement methods to explain fundamental math concepts. The program also incorporates wireless networks to transform participation inside the mathematics classroom.
The grant follows a study of Texas middle school students led by SRI International with members of the Kaput Center and other institutions. The study indicates that the SimCalc approach significantly improved students' math performance, and that the improvements were robust across racial and socioeconomic groups, including in a region near the Mexican border -- one of the poorest regions of the country.
Findings of a second report, focusing on Massachusetts students, will be released this Friday, September 14, at the Kaput Center headquarters official opening in Fairhaven. The opening, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at 200 Mill Road in the former AT&T facility, will be attended by Chancellor MacCormack, UMass system President Jack Wilson, and education, policy, and business leaders.
The DOE-funded project will study the impact of SimCalc on student performance in New Bedford, New Bedford Vocational Technical School, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, Wareham, Dighton-Rehoboth and Old Rochester Regional.
"In order for America to stay competitive in a global economy, we must focus on the skills of our students in the science, math and technology fields," said Senator Edward M. Kennedy. "This program will go a long way in an effort to decrease racial and socio-economic disparities in these fields, and increase the ability of all our students. I commend UMass Dartmouth and the U.S. Department of Education for their continued dedication to innovation in the teaching field."
Senator John F. Kerry said, "By ensuring that science, math and technology continue to be priorities, UMass Dartmouth is helping to build a stronger economy and create jobs for the 21st Century. It is helping to close the skills gap between America and the rest of the world, and ensuring that social and economic disparities don't play a role in the education of our state's young people. I congratulate UMass Dartmouth on its innovative program and am confident it will continue its tradition of excellence in educating our future leaders."
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank said, "This grant is good news for Southeastern Massachusetts where UMass Dartmouth plays a key role in the region's educational and economic growth. The program's innovative approach to math and science teaching also has the potential to contribute to improved student performance in other parts of the country. But, in order to ensure that we are able to continue providing this type of financial assistance, it is vital to keep overall federal funding at sufficient levels, and I will be doing all I can to support that goal."
U.S. Rep. James McGovern said, "I'm very pleased that the Department of Education has recognized the excellent work being done at UMass Dartmouth," Rep. Jim McGovern said. "Access to quality math instruction is essential for every student in the 21st Century economy."
"As the global economic context becomes more complex and more competitive, improving the teaching of math across this country must be considered a matter of national economic security,'' UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack said. "This grant positions our university to play a leadership role in preparing our citizens to compete and prosper in this new world.''
"This is a critical time in the education of our students,'' said Kaput Center Director Stephen Hegedus. "We need to offer a quality education that is research-informed and helps children develop the critical skills and motivation necessary to enter careers in mathematics, science and engineering. This will eventually have an impact on our local and global economy and productivity as well as address issues of social injustice in education today."
More about the James J. Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in Mathematics Education:
UMass Dartmouth's James J. Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in Mathematics Education has received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to examine new strategies to excite students about learning math, and increase the number and diversity of students in the math, science, and engineering pipeline.
The funds will support the Kaput Center's mission to democratize access to core ideas in mathematics through a program of research that integrates software known as SimCalc MathWorldsTM with associated curriculum and teacher training. The program was first developed by late UMass Dartmouth Math Professor James Kaput. The SimCalc approach uses computer animations, real-life examples, narrative stories and other engagement methods to explain fundamental math concepts. The program also incorporates wireless networks to transform participation inside the mathematics classroom.
The grant follows a study of Texas middle school students led by SRI International with members of the Kaput Center and other institutions. The study indicates that the SimCalc approach significantly improved students' math performance, and that the improvements were robust across racial and socioeconomic groups, including in a region near the Mexican border -- one of the poorest regions of the country.
Findings of a second report, focusing on Massachusetts students, will be released this Friday, September 14, at the Kaput Center headquarters official opening in Fairhaven. The opening, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at 200 Mill Road in the former AT&T facility, will be attended by Chancellor MacCormack, UMass system President Jack Wilson, and education, policy, and business leaders.
The DOE-funded project will study the impact of SimCalc on student performance in New Bedford, New Bedford Vocational Technical School, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, Wareham, Dighton-Rehoboth and Old Rochester Regional.
"In order for America to stay competitive in a global economy, we must focus on the skills of our students in the science, math and technology fields," said Senator Edward M. Kennedy. "This program will go a long way in an effort to decrease racial and socio-economic disparities in these fields, and increase the ability of all our students. I commend UMass Dartmouth and the U.S. Department of Education for their continued dedication to innovation in the teaching field."
Senator John F. Kerry said, "By ensuring that science, math and technology continue to be priorities, UMass Dartmouth is helping to build a stronger economy and create jobs for the 21st Century. It is helping to close the skills gap between America and the rest of the world, and ensuring that social and economic disparities don't play a role in the education of our state's young people. I congratulate UMass Dartmouth on its innovative program and am confident it will continue its tradition of excellence in educating our future leaders."
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank said, "This grant is good news for Southeastern Massachusetts where UMass Dartmouth plays a key role in the region's educational and economic growth. The program's innovative approach to math and science teaching also has the potential to contribute to improved student performance in other parts of the country. But, in order to ensure that we are able to continue providing this type of financial assistance, it is vital to keep overall federal funding at sufficient levels, and I will be doing all I can to support that goal."
U.S. Rep. James McGovern said, "I'm very pleased that the Department of Education has recognized the excellent work being done at UMass Dartmouth," Rep. Jim McGovern said. "Access to quality math instruction is essential for every student in the 21st Century economy."
"As the global economic context becomes more complex and more competitive, improving the teaching of math across this country must be considered a matter of national economic security,'' UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack said. "This grant positions our university to play a leadership role in preparing our citizens to compete and prosper in this new world.''
"This is a critical time in the education of our students,'' said Kaput Center Director Stephen Hegedus. "We need to offer a quality education that is research-informed and helps children develop the critical skills and motivation necessary to enter careers in mathematics, science and engineering. This will eventually have an impact on our local and global economy and productivity as well as address issues of social injustice in education today."
More about the James J. Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in Mathematics Education:
The Kaput Center has been established in the spirit and vision of the late James Kaput, a longtime UMass Dartmouth Professor of Mathematics whose innovative thinking and leadership inspired many in the field of mathematics education.
The purpose of this Center is to provide a focus and support for sustained investigation of foundational issues in the field of mathematics education, issues that will be chosen to enhance and deepen ongoing research by its members and associates. The Center is a place where fundamental problems in mathematics education will be studied, discussed and analyzed through conferences, colloquium series, basic research and development, commissioned reports, and think-tank meetings.
