Post on 16-Jan-2016
Early Mathematics Education Project
Accomplishments and Plans Erikson Institute Board of Trustees Meeting
March 18, 2010
The Early Mathematics Education Project is generously funded by:
McCormick Foundation,CME Group Foundation, Motorola Foundation, Exelon,
Chicago Public Schools Office of Early Childhood Education, and
Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc.
“If I can’t get them out of MIT, I’ll get them out of
Tsing Hua.”
Paul Otellini, Chief Executive of Intel, on hiring smart, skilled labor despite weak
science and math education in America’s K-12 schools.
(Speech at Brookings and the Aspen Institute, 2010)
Average Math Scores at Kindergarten Entry (ECLS-B)
3032343638404244464850
White Black Hispanic Asian NativeAmerican
Other At orabove
Poverty
BelowPoverty
(Denton Flanagan & McPhee, 2009)
Teacher Preparedness
Percent of early childhood teacher education programs in New Jersey’s 4-year colleges that provide …
A course focused on early literacy 80%
A course focused on early mathematics 16%
Mathematics only as part of integrated curriculum 74%
No early mathematics training at all 10%
(Lobman, Ryan, & McLaughlin, 2005)
In Illinois
Percent of bachelor’s degrees with early childhood teacher certification that provide …
A course focused on early literacy 100%
A course focused on early mathematics 7%
Early math as part of an integrated curriculum 30%
Mathematics at the primary level (grades K-3) only 41%
No course that explicitly identifies math content as a topic
22%
(Ray & Bowman, 2010)
According to Our Survey of CPS Preschool Teachers
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
My Own MathSkills
My Ability toTeach Math
(t (302) = -25.06, p < .001)
According to Our Survey of CPS Preschool Teachers
Teachers report an average of 1 hour and 8 minutes per week directly teaching
math.
38
11
6
21
90
0 20 40 60 80 100
At Least One Instance
Yet We Also Know That…
Mathematics activities take place in only 21 percent of CPS early childhood classrooms on a given day
Language Arts or Literature
MATHEMATICS ACTIVITY
Social Studies
Science
Art or Music Activity
(Chicago Program Evaluation Project, 2007)
Erikson’s Response
The Early Mathematics Education Project
Let’s watch some video
Distinctive Features
Integrate with children’s literatureEmphasize Big Ideas in early mathematicsStress use of mathematical languageEngage children in active learningProvide on-site coachingUtilize video-based reflective practice
232 Teachers88 Coaches 113 Schools
7,500 Students/yr(approx.)
Project to Date (over 3 year period)
Evaluation Results
Children whose teachers participated in the Project learned significantly more math over the school year – almost 3 months worth – than children whose teachers did not
participate
(Coefficient = 2.74, p <.008)
Effect of Early Math Education Project on a Hypothetical Child Who is 5 Months Behind in the Fall
42
44
46
48
50
52
54
56
58
60
Fall Spring
Time of Assessment
Age
Est
imat
e in
Mon
ths
No Intervention
Erikson Early Math
National Norms
Quotes from TeachersI used to feel afraid to teach math even to preschoolers - but now I am excited about it.
… my time was never wasted.
I am a better teacher because of this PD. Thank you.
My classroom is exploding with math!
This is PD (professional development) Heaven!
Near-Term Plans
2nd International Symposium on Early Mathematics Education
June Policy Breakfast and Release of Policy Brief
Long-Term Plans
Center for Early STEM Education:
Tending to the Roots
STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Pre-K & Kdg Math
Pre-K & Kdg Science
Curriculum for Teacher Educators
Pre-K to 3rd Pre-Service Math
Pre-K to 3rd Grade Math
Erikson M.A. Math Endorsement
Center for Early STEM Education:
Tending to the Roots
Directly train teachers and other trainers Conduct research on the teaching and
learning of both teachers and children Act as a clearinghouse and advocate
Center for Early STEM Education:
Tending to the Roots