RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (March 25, 2008)---A cross section of area education professionals and business leaders gathered at the Lake Point Conference Center on March 10 to work on one of the most pressing issues facing the state of Arkansas --- improving high school math education.
Ray Simon, United States deputy secretary of education, was the featured speaker for a group that included representatives of Arkansas Tech University, the Russellville School District, the Atkins School District and the local business community.
Tech is working with both Russellville and Atkins on a project known as the High School Redesign Collaborative Partnership, which seeks to find practical and viable ways to make math instruction more meaningful and relevant to students.
Simon, who began his education career as a math teacher at North Little Rock in 1966, told the audience that “Arkansas is beginning to gain a national reputation” in math education.
“The achievement gaps are beginning to close,” said Simon. “We can’t let up now. I applaud what you are doing.”
The ongoing partnership between Arkansas Tech, the Russellville School District and the Atkins School District is part of the effort to make further gains in math education inside the Natural State.
Dr. Mary Gunter, director of the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning, was instrumental in acquiring the grant that made the program possible.
“We were fortunate to have Mr. Ray Simon speak to us about the work of the federal government in math education and his work with the National Mathematics Advisory Panel,” said Gunter. “Mr. Simon was in Arkansas at a State Board of Education meeting that day and wanted to visit Arkansas Tech to acknowledge the exemplary work of this P-18 partnership and alignment initiative.”
Following Simon’s address the meeting attendees broke into six small groups to discuss specific steps that could be taken to make math education more successful.
Dr. Tom Limperis, chair of the Arkansas Tech Mathematics Department, served as facilitator for one of the groups.
“In the break out sessions, we compiled a list of teaching strategies to help bring relevance of mathematics to the classroom,” said Limperis. “By bringing relevance to the classroom, students learn the importance of acquiring a strong background in mathematics for future success in their careers. Students with an appreciation for mathematics are more motivated and therefore more successful in college level mathematics courses.”
The groups included the following individuals:
GROUP #1
Facilitator: Laura Mills, Russellville H.S. Math Department Chairperson
Carolyn Doyle, Teacher Center Coordinator, Arch Ford Educational Cooperative
Kenny Shannon, Shannon Pipeline Atkins
Danny Tarkington, Weyerhauser Systems Analyst
Wesley White, Russellville H.S. Principal
Dr. John Watson, Arkansas Tech School of Systems Science Dean
GROUP #2
Facilitator: Lora Hendrix, Russellville H.S. Math Teacher and Focus Teacher
Dr. Mary Gunter, Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning Director
David Garza, Surveyor for Ennis, Horton and Barrett
Mark Richardson, Wal-Mart Co-Manager
Dr. Annette Henderson, Russellville Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Laurie Carman, Arkansas Tech Math Faculty
GROUP #3
Facilitator: Sheila Jacobs, Russellville Director of Secondary Instruction
Javier Taylor, Arkansas Tech Secondary Math Specialist
Norm Cline, Engineer for Arkansas Nuclear One
Jamie Thomas, Russellville H.S. Math Teacher
Robin Trafford, Century 21 Sales Associate
Margie Smith, Russellville School Board President
GROUP #4
Facilitator: Sheryl Cox, Director of Educational Renewal Zone
Ray Simon, United States Deputy Secretary of Education
Clive Reasoner, Director of Engineering for Arkansas Nuclear One
Bruce Conley, Russellville H.S. Assistant Principal
Marlena Mashburn, Russellville H.S. Math Teacher
Cindy Broadhead, Russellville J.H.S. Math Teacher
Alene Bynum, Russellville J.H.S. Principal
GROUP #5
Facilitator: Dr. Tom Limperis, Arkansas Tech Mathematics Department Chair
Kristi Brown, Arkansas Tech Mathematics Adjunct
Boyce Watkins, Atkins Superintendent
Sue Bledsoe, Russellville H.S. Math Teacher
Donna Gwaltney, Russellville J.H.S. Counselor
GROUP #6
Facilitator: Gladys Vint, Atkins Curriculum Coordinator
Darrell Webb, Atkins Algebra Teacher
Dr. Chris Horan, Atkins Millard-Henry Clinic
Randall Williams, Russellville Superintendent
Margaret Robinson, Russellville H.S. Assistant Principal
Carl Warren, Atkins School Board President
