Maryville College East Tennessee Mathematics and Science Partnership (ETnMSP) January 2008-December 2010

The Maryville College ETnMSP grant replicates the data-driven design of the successful East Tennessee Science Partnership and adds mathematics teachers via the Switching Replications Design, a validated research protocol. The Switching Replications Design allows for a rigorous control group while still enabling all schools to receive both mathematics and science professional development. For example, Cohort 1 consisted of Blount County science teachers (control – mathematics) and Fentress, Union, and York mathematics teachers (control – science) while Cohort 2 consists of Blount County mathematics teachers and Fentress, Union, and York science teachers. The program also addresses and attends to the transition issues associated with students moving from middle school to high school.

Participating teachers receive multiple training opportunities in all mathematics and science content disciplines, including all prerequisite content for the End-of-Course and Gateway exams. Moreover, the project places an emphasis on rigor and the skills necessary for AP courses by utilizing a sequence of Pre-AP interventions throughout the three year grant term.

The program also assists teachers in the alignment of their content to the new Tennessee Standards/Frameworks and utilization of Test Item Analysis to align their classroom assessments to the state assessment design.