PROM/SE
The SMART Consortium is proud to be a partner in the PROM/SE (Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education) initiative, a five-year, $35 million project awarded in September, 2003, under the National Science Foundation's Mathematics and Science Partnerships (MSP) initiative.
PROM/SE has impacted about 400,000 students and more than 5,000 teachers in over 60 Michigan and Ohio school districts. The participating school districts represented a broad range of social, economic, and cultural characteristics -- from large, urban cities to suburbs and rural areas.
The PROM/SE project (Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science) will be able to continue to pursue its goals beyond the initial five year grant for two additional years. There has been sufficient evidence of significant progress in the first five years for NSF to approve the expansion and continuation of the most effective components of PROM/SE. Although there will be work done in both mathematics and science, the primary emphasis will continue to be in mathematics.
All activities planned for Years 6 and 7 will be guided by two overarching themes: "Moving Forward" and "Team Work." The focus of activities in the first five years has been on capacity building with an emphasis on teachers' content knowledge for teaching. Capacity building will continue to be an important outcome; however there will be a shift in emphasis that will focus activities and initiatives on planning for and taking action; in other words, on "Moving Forward." The plan for Years 6 and 7 is to build on the progress that has been made in the areas of professional development; leadership; data based decision making; strengthening the rigor and coherence of mathematics and science curricula; and parent involvement. During Years 6 and 7 the progress that has been made in these areas will be focused on creating positive change. It will be essential that each participating district create and empower a team that will be able to plan and implement the changes that are needed in order to move the district forward. This team must include the superintendent (or his/her designee), the curriculum director, a principal and two teachers from each level (elementary, middle and high school), counselors from the middle and high school levels.
PROM/SE will continue to provide and promote activities in the following areas with a distinct shift in focus from individual learning to action:
Professional Development: Curricular coherence will continue to be an important professional development topic. The design and development of PROM/SE virtual professional development will be expanded to support both individual learning and team decision making.
Data and Data Based Decision Making: PROM/SE will continue to generate individual district data reports and provide assistance with the interpretation and implications of the data. There will be additional data collections from teachers during years 6 and 7, and one additional student assessment during year 7.
Curriculum Improvement: Regional meetings for district teams that have been empowered by the superintendent will focus on the need for a stronger, more rigorous and more coherent curriculum. Districts will have the choice of participating in the development of a framework for science instruction that is based upon the work of the science experts. These districts will receive support and assistance in analyzing and strengthening their science curriculum.
Leadership: The Superintendents Summit in June '08 provided professional development for leading instructional improvement and also support each superintendent in the formulation and analysis of his/her district's plan for Moving Forward with curriculum improvement in years 6 and 7.
To learn more about the PROM/SE initiative, visit the PROM/SE website at http://www.promse.msu.edu/.
Participating School Districts - Years 6 & 7
Beachwood City Schools
Berea City Schools
Bedford City Schools
Brecksville-Broadview Hts. City Schools
East Cleveland City Schools
Euclid City Schools
Mentor City Schools
Newbury Local Schools
Orange City Schools
Painesville Local Schools
Parma City Schools
Richmond Hts. City Schools
South Euclid-Lyndhurst City Schools
West Geauga Local Schools
Much of the work of the PROM/SE initiative relies on the network of PROM/SE Mathematics and Science Associates that have been recruited from participating SMART member district schools. These individuals play a critical role in the success of PROM/SE by participating in and leading, planning, and implementing the professional development activities developed through PROM/SE in their schools. Participating high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools with more than 500 students have two Teacher Associates — one each for math and science. Elementary schools with fewer than 500 students have one Teacher Associate for both math and science, or they split the position between two individuals. Professional development workshop fees and substitute teacher costs are covered by the PROM/SE grant, and Teacher Associates receive stipends for their participation.
The NSF PROM/SE award is a defining moment in SMART's history. It represents an affirmation of SMART's mission and of its fundamental belief that excellence in science and mathematics teaching and learning is a critical yet very attainable ideal. PROM/SE has strengthened SMART's relationship with the U.S. TIMSS National Research Center at Michigan State University and has also supported a closer working relationship with other key NSF MSP programs around the country.
To visit the PROM/SE website at Michigan State University, click here.