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Math Science Teaching Corps Will Recruit, Train, and Retain Math and Science Teachers

Posted on: Thursday, 9 February 2006, 09:00 CST

National Security and Economic Competitiveness Are Basis for Math Science Teaching Corps

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Congressman Jim Saxton (R-NJ) yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate to create a fellowship program to recruit, train, and retain outstanding math and science teachers. The Math Science Teaching Corps (MSTC, pronounced "mystic") will involve approximately 20% of our nation's secondary math and science teacher workforce. Aspiring or current teachers with strong content knowledge will be recruited to participate in MSTC.

Modeled on New York City nonprofit Math for America's Newton Fellowship Program, MSTC addresses the shortage of highly qualified math and science teachers by offering a package of incentives, including federal stipends in addition to their teaching salaries, for teachers to join and remain in the teaching force. Highly capable prospective teachers, as well as working teachers who have solid expertise in their fields, are often lured away by more lucrative and prestigious opportunities in an economy increasingly based on math and science. As a result, nearly 40% of all public secondary school math teachers hold neither a major nor a minor in math or a related field. In sciences, the rate is even higher.

James Simons, President of Renaissance Technologies, a successful hedge fund, and Chairman of Math for America, noted that many of his peers in business are concerned by the declining math and science scores of our nation's high school students. "Mathematics and science are the skills that are vital to our country growing a workforce that can compete in the increasingly technological economy. Even more important, the U.S. needs citizens with these competencies in order to bolster our national security," said Simons. He continued, "There is an urgent need to assure that our students are getting the very best teachers in the classroom. Our kids won't do better in math and science until we give them teachers who know more."

MSTC has two tracks for entry: one for individuals aspiring to go into the classroom, and another for experienced teachers. New teachers receive pedagogical training and commit to teach for four years. Those who enter without certification attend a one-year certification program before going into the classroom. Retention strategies are built in and include district-level mentoring and induction and federal financial incentives. MSTC also rewards and retains current teachers with outstanding skills and experience. Current teachers commit to stay in the classroom for five years and serve as leaders in their school, mentor new teachers, and participate in professional development. They stay in the classroom and take on additional responsibilities at the school and district levels. National selection criteria, including a standardized test of content knowledge, will ensure that all MSTC Fellows have the knowledge and attributes of effective teachers.

In New York City, Math for America is using private funds to provide high schools with well trained and highly motivated mathematics teachers. The Newton Fellowship Program will bring the City's public high schools a total of more than 180 mathematics teachers, each committed to teaching for four years after completing graduate training. Each Newton Fellow receives full tuition scholarship to a year long master's in math education program at either Teachers College/Columbia University or New York University, and a living stipend while they're studying. Then, once they have their master's degrees, Newton Fellows teach in New York City public high schools for four years and receive stipends to supplement their regular salaries.

MfA's Newton Master Teacher Program recognizes exceptional mathematics educators in the City's High Schools. Master Teachers are awarded $50,000 over a four-year period based on their demonstrated mathematical knowledge and outstanding performance records. Master Teachers participate in professional development with other experienced teachers, mentor Newton Fellows, and conduct pedagogical and math content workshops for math teachers. A condition of the Master Teacher awards is that recipients remain in the New York City public school system teaching mathematics for four years.

The Newton Fellowship and Newton Master Teacher programs successfully recruit mathematically-talented individuals, but Simons notes that the Math for America programs are just the beginning: "Private funds have an important role today, but we can only provide seed money. There is no doubt that a national, federally-sponsored program to attract, train, and retain mathematically talented individuals is needed if our country is to maintain its lead in technology and the sciences."

Source: Business Wire

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