The American Statistical Association, in collaboration with the Baltimore City and County Public Schools, seeks funds for a three-year program to 1) develop and deliver in- service workshops for elementary school teachers which will allow them to implement a quantitative literacy strand in their teaching and for elementary school-based administrators to inform them of the content and techniques of a quantitative literacy strand so as to ensure proper teacher support and implementation of the program; and 2) plan and develop quantitative literacy professional development materials to support teacher and administrator workshops in any elementary school. The three-year project will develop a complete scope and sequence plan, a set of modules for the classroom, and model workshops accompanied by professional development materials. Materials and workshops will be initially delivered to and field-tested by 80 teachers and administrators, and the project will culminate in five, five-day regional summer workshops serving 225 elementary school teachers and 50 of their school-based administrators. Field-tested follow-up activities will take place the following school year supported by the local school districts and statisticians from business and industry. The staff for the project includes nine elementary and middle school teachers and administrators from the Baltimore City and County Public Schools, plus staff members from the American Statistical Association, and mathematics educators and statisticians from universities throughout the country. In all, 364 elementary school teachers and administrators will be enhanced through the workshops. The quantitative literacy professional development materials should provide a second-wave effect. The cost-sharing of the American Statistical Association, the Baltimore City and County Public School and others represents 64% of the NSF award. Producing a citizenry which is quantitatively literate is an NSF, and indeed a national, priority. This project addresses this priority by bringing a quantitative literacy strand into the elementary schools through enhancing teachers in appropriate subject matter and pedagogy.
