The14 State System of Higher Education universities will team up with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help improve the teaching of science and mathematics in Pennsylvania classrooms. The NSF will provide $1 million annually for up to five years to fund the multi-pronged effort.

Science, mathematics and education faculty from all of the State System universities will work with public school teachers, community college faculty and representatives of business and industry to redesign teacher preparation and mentoring programs, to develop new professional development opportunities for teachers and to increase efforts to encourage students and mid-career professionals to become science or mathematics teachers.

“There is a critical need across Pennsylvania for science and mathematics teachers who are prepared to teach to the more rigorous academic standards our students must achieve in order to succeed in today’s high-tech, global economy,” said Chancellor James H. McCormick. “This project funded by the National Science Foundation and supported by the State System will help address that need from the ground up, first by encouraging more students to pursue careers as teachers of science and math, then by ensuring our universities are providing the very best programs in both teacher training and continuing professional development.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our universities to work together to address a vital need in the Commonwealth.”

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) will manage the collaborative effort. It will have primary responsibility for planning and operating the project, under the direction of Dr. Terry Peard, professor of biology and science education and director of IUP’s Teacher Education Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology.

A steering committee comprised of faculty from each of the 14 State System universities, as well as representatives from local school districts and community colleges, will help coordinate the project. Another important component will be the creation of collaborations among universities, school districts, community colleges and business and industry.

“The National Science Foundation’s efforts in science and math give us an opportunity to work with the public schools in Pennsylvania to further implement our K-16 efforts, which are focused on improving student learning,” said Stephen Pavlak, the State System’s associate vice chancellor for teacher preparation and executive director of the Pennsylvania Academy for the Profession of Teaching and Learning.

The successful receipt of the grant required the combined efforts of some 125 State System faculty and others, Pavlak said. Many of those will attend a five-day conference August 21-25 at IUP to essentially begin the long-range project.

“This grant provides affirmation to the leadership role that Pennsylvania has been afforded in the national agenda for improvement in mathematics and science education,” McCormick said. “The rigor of the National Science Foundation’s grant review process, and its outcome, attests to the strength, quality and reputation of the State System.”

NSF initially will provide a $2 million grant to help fund the project through June 30, 2002. The project will receive an additional $1 million annually from the Science Foundation in fiscal years 2002, 2003 and 2004, contingent upon the progress achieved each year.

The State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 350,000 System alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and the University Center for Southwest Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resources Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.