Anderson:  Professional Development for Quality

PREPARED BY

Dr. Mara Alagic

Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education

College of Education

Wichita State University

Dr. Randy Ellsworth

Professor and Associate Dean for Administration and Graduate Program Support

College of Education

Wichita State University

IN COLLABORATION WITH

Abstract

Anderson: Professional Development for Quality (A:PDQ) will provide teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals of Anderson Elementary School with systematic activities focusing on both integration of mathematics across the curriculum and integration of language arts within mathematics.  Acquisition of subject matter knowledge and strategies for teaching, technology integration, and assessment preparation are the primary objectives of A:PDQ.  This practice-based professional development is founded on the premises that teachers are central to students’ achievement and that inquiry approaches maximize the teaching and learning process.  Thus, A:PDQ will implement problem solving and inquiry based projects for both teachers and students of Anderson.  Initial anticipated outcomes for Anderson staff during the first two years of A:PDQ include (1) enhanced content knowledge in mathematics, reading, writing, and technology integration, (2) improved technology integration, and assessment strategies in mathematics, reading, and writing, and (3) greater understanding of how to link their instructional practices to the way mathematics, reading, and writing competencies are assessed in district and state performance tests.  By the end of the third year of A:PDQ the designation not making “adequate yearly progress” will be removed from Anderson Elementary School and successful A:PDQ professional development practices will be disseminated (and with agreement, implemented) in newly identified not making “adequate yearly progress” schools.

December 2002

A:PDQ GOALS

For the proposed 3-year grant cycle, a set of three participant goals, two student goals and one A:PDQ model goal along with performance outcomes (targets) have been established.  The goals for A:PDQ include the following (see Evaluation for performance outcomes). 

1. Improve participants’ knowledge of mathematics and strategies for both integration of mathematics across the curriculum, and integration of language arts within mathematics. 

2. Improve participants’ knowledge and understanding of technology integration into classroom instruction to enhance student learning. 

3. Improve participants’ knowledge and understanding of formative assessment procedures.

4. Develop instructional practices that prepare students for differing state and district assessment measures.

5. Improve students’ mathematics, reading and writing performance on state and district tests.

6. Develop a cadre of lead Anderson elementary teachers to help refine the Anderson A:PDQ professional development model for reinforcement in Anderson and for expansion to other NMAYP Title I schools.

April 2003	Mara's homepage
	These pages are always under construction: I am trying to keep them up-to-date  with my activities :) Questions and/or comments are welcome!	Maintained by:  Mara Alagic Mathematics Education Curriculum & Instruction Department Wichita State University Wichita, Kansas  67260-0028