Alabama Math, Science and Technology Education Coalition

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Collaboration for Success
AMSTI AMSTEC Partner to Grow What Works in
Alabama

• Alabama Math, Science and Technology Education
  Coalition

March 2005
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Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative

• An Alabama Department of Education initiative to
  improve math and science teaching (K-12)

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AMSTI Background

• Two years in research and design
• Developed by a Blue Ribbon Panel
• Implemented by the Alabama Department of
  Education in 2002
• 3 MASTER sites operational
• Steve Ricks, AMSTI Director
• Robin Nelson, Science
• Todd Beers, Math

www.amsti.org
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AMSTI in Alabama

• Creates hubs called MASTER sites
• Three sites now running now with a total of
  eleven proposed across Alabama
• Over 1,000 teachers trained last summer during
  two-week institutes at MASTER site

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AMSTEC Background

• Roots in NASAs Linking Leaders Program
• Alabama Non-profit formed in 1998
• One of 35 state-based education coalitions -
  NASSMC
• (National Alliance for State Science and
  Mathematics Coalitions)
• Mission to facilitate communication among its
  stake-holder members
• Education - 68
• Business - 20
• Public Policy - 12

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AMSTI provides three basic services so students
learn through DOING math and science
Equipment and Materials
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Supplies and Equipment

• AMSTI provides all the equipment, supplies, and
  materials needed to deliver high-quality,
  activity-based instruction on which they have
  received training.
• The materials arrive prepackaged in kits ready
  for immediate use.

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Professional Development

• All math and science teachers and administrators
  in AMSTI Schools attend two-week Summer
  Institutes for two consecutive summers.
  Instruction is grade and subject specific.
• Additional professional development is provided
  throughout the school year through school
  Learning Teams and Inservice Days.

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On-Site Support

• Teachers are supported and mentored by AMSTI site
  math and science specialists as they implement
  the training they received during the summer.

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AMSTI was designed around the concept of
PARTNERSHIPS

• Programs
• Examples GLOBE in Alabama, ASIM, LASER,
  NSSTC
• Higher Education
• Examples UNA, UAH, AM, USA, UM
• Business and the Community
• Examples AMSTEC, Blue Cross/Blue Shield,
  ALCOA, NASA, Gulf Coast Exploreum
• Organizations
• Examples ACTM, ASTA, SERVE (National
  lab), Mobile Education Foundation, Alabama Super
  Computer Authority

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AMSTI Statistics to Date

• 72 official AMSTI schools with all teachers of
  math and science trained (1,800 teachers and
  administrators)
• Serving over 42,000 students on a daily basis
• Provided limited training for hundreds of other
  teachers across the state
• First Leadership Academy for Math, Science, and
  Technology (LAMST) 2004
• 80 school leadership teams
• from across the state trained

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Does the AMSTI method of teaching really make
any difference?
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Does AMSTI affect student achievement?

• External Evaluator
• Institute for Communication Research at The
  University of Alabama
• Examined the performance of AMSTI schools and
  non-AMSTI schools in the nine school systems
  where AMSTI was implemented beginning July 2002.
• 20 AMSTI schools vs. 111 non-AMSTI schools

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Academic performance was measured using data
from the following tests

• Stanford Achievement Test (10th Edition)
• Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing (ADAW)
• Alabama Alternative Assessment (AAA)
• Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE).

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AMSTI IS Making a Difference
Stanford 10Grades 6-8 Math and Grade 7 Science
Grades 3-5 Math and Science
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Stanford 10Grades 3-5 Math and Grade 5 Science
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Stanford 10Grades 6-8 Math and Grade 7 Science
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Stanford 10 Reading, Grades 3-8
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Alabama Alternate Assessment
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Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing (ADAW)
Grades 5 7
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Alabama High School Graduation Exam(AHSGE)
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15 Million Proposed for AMSTI Can Provide. . .

• Sustainability and expansion for UAH, UNA, and
  USA MASTER sites
• currently 72 K-8 schools
• Completion of AMSTI high school science
  component (ASIM) in all 11 regions
• AMSTI Expansion into 3 additional regional
  MASTER sites
• from 72 schools to 175 schools in 35 school
  districts
• AMSTI/new Course of Study alignment

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2005 Legislative Session

• AMSTI Funding Request
• 14.7 M in Gov. Rileys budget request
• AMSTEC Legislation
• Providing AMSTEC authorization to work with
  the SDE on behalf of MST reform in Alabama

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Partnerships and People are Key

• Benefits of 2005 AMSTEC Legislation
• Leverages partnerships and unifies reform
  efforts,
• Legitimizes AMSTECs role as Alabama MST
  reform advocates,
• Signals that legislature has acknowledged
  the issues,
• Recognizes role of all stakeholders in
  workforce educational developments.

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Current Corporate Involvement
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An Integrated Stakeholders Approach to ..
AMSTECs Contribution

• .changing attitudes toward and perceptions of
  math, science and technology in the 21st century
  workforce

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Spheres of Influence
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Stakeholder Forums

• AMSTEC is conducting local forums in
• Huntsville
• Phenix City (NES)
• Tuscaloosa, and
• 1 for each of 11 in-service districts
• (Selma Over-the-Mountain Birmingham now in
  planning)
• Resulting in four regional forums and one
  state-wide Summit

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Results in Huntsville

• Our Vision An integrated group of stakeholders
  that creates the environment and implements
  actions that result in a culture of creative,
  skilled, technically engaged people locally,
  regionally and nationwide.

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Huntsvilles Integrated Stakeholder Approach
GOALS/STRATEGIES
Secure commitment from representatives of all
stakeholder groups
Align resources that impact culture change
VISION
We are an integrated group of stakeholders
creating the environment and implementing actions
that result in a culture of creative, skilled,
technically engaged people locally, regionally
and nationwide.
Ensure ongoing relevance and impact
Develop or identify an organization to provide
for implementation

• STAKEHOLDERS
• Government policy makers and users federal,
  state, local
• Industry large and small businesses wide range
  of products and services
• Parents
• Educators teachers, principles, administrators
  public, private, and parochial
• Media newspaper, television, and radio
  popular culture outlets
• Students K-12, undergraduate, and graduate
• Community organizations clubs, associations,
  libraries, science centers, etc.
• Health care, law enforcement, social services

MISSION
We facilitate the alignment of educational,
business, and community resources with current
and future workforce expectations.
Draft Strategic Plan 2004-2006
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State Summit Planned for 2006
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Stakeholder Forums Outcomes

• Statewide strategic plan based on identified
  stakeholder needs and challenges,
• Recommendations for continued growth and
  development of MST educational and workforce
  initiatives.

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Components for Effectiveness
Leadership and Assistance for Science Education
Reform
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Theory of Action for Instructional Improvement
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www.amstec.org
Robin L. Denson, Ph.D. Executive
Director, AMSTEC 320 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, AL 35803256-961-7936
(voice) 256-961-7523 (fax) denson_at_amstec.org