Grant to improve math programs statewide

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln thinks math is pretty important, and the National Science Foundation does, too.

NSF has awarded UNL $9.3 million for a math outreach program appropriately coined NEBRASKA MATH.

The program will enhance more than 300 Nebraska math teachers' knowledge through graduate courses. It will also help them develop solid, rewarding curriculum, said Jim Lewis, a math professor and the project's leader.

Schools from all over Nebraska will benefit from the initiative from as far away as Scottsbluff to those near the university in Lincoln.

Lewis sees NEBRASKA MATH reaching nearly 100 school districts during its five-year term.

The program expands on UNL's 2004 endeavor, the Math in the Middle Institute, which was also funded through an NSF grant, but focused solely on grades five through eight.

UNL's new partnership will work with middle to high school algebra instructors, as well as K-3 and beginning teachers.

"(Teachers) don't usually go into K-3 because they're strong in math ... A lot of people are great with working with kids but not particularly good at math, so we wanted to increase that," Lewis said.

Barb Jacobson, the director of curriculum and professional development for Lincoln Public Schools, agreed with Lewis.

"Many times we focus our efforts so much on the literacy part and just assume that teachers know enough math that it will be fine," Jacobson said. "But you have to have a deep content knowledge in order to be a good math teacher."

In addition, because many teachers leave the profession in the first five years, the program's division geared toward beginning math instructors is vital, Lewis said.

NEBRASKA MATH also contains a study component. It will experiment to find the most effective and financially feasible mode of teaching math, including using a "math coach" to mentor other teachers and having math-only instructors.

"There's been a national call for serious study into what methods work best," Lewis said, "and we hope to provide that."

teresalostroh@dailynebraskan.com