Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Training starts for new math initiative

Public invited to math initiative briefing


By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

The first training session in the state for the new Idaho Math Initiative, a program designed to make mathematics studies for primary and secondary students more applicable to everyday life, was started Monday in Blaine County.

More than 150 teachers and administrators were enrolled for the weeklong class being taught by Jonathon Brendefur, a mathematics professor from Boise State University. Attending are 116 Blaine County School District employees and 40 educators from other parts of Idaho.

The Blaine County Education Foundation announced in a press release that the first training program for the Idaho Math Initiative was held here because of the influence of school district Assistant Superintendent Lonnie Barber, a member of the state's math initiative task force.

"This program is critical to raising student achievement in math," said Barber, who added that Idaho ranks behind most states in the number of high school students taking advanced mathematics courses. "We believe that math is critical to a 21st-century education and we are excited to implement this program in our school system."

The Idaho Legislature approved funding in 2008 for the new initiative. About $4 million per year will be allocated during the next five years in an effort to improve Idaho student achievement in mathematics.

Heather Crocker, executive director of the Blaine County Education Foundation, said the new initiative offers alternative ways for teaching mathematics and is designed to show students that there's "more than one way to solve problems."

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The Idaho Math Initiative is directed by Brendefur, who will provide a public briefing on the program Thursday evening. The Education Foundation and the Blaine County School District are sponsoring the briefing, set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Montgomery residence at 115 Skyline Dr. in Elkhorn.

For more information, contact Crocker at 578-5449. Information is also available at www.supportbcef.org.

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com




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