By Sherry F. Pruitt

JONESBORO -- The Northeast Arkansas Middle School Mathematics Institute at Arkansas State University has been awarded a $116,415 grant to assist teachers.

This marks the third year in a row that the ASU institute under the direction of Dr. Mike Hall, assistant professor of mathematics, has received funding in the form of a Title II, part B, No Child Left Behind competitive grant.

The funding allows training for teachers who would benefit from enhanced content knowledge and teaching skills and mentoring.

"We're trying to focus math and science intensive content knowledge on middle grade teachers," Hall said, adding that the middle level includes those teaching grades 5-8.

The award amount is based on the state's student population and poverty rates, according to a news release.

The U.S. Department of Education distributes the funds through the state Department of Education.

"I run a 2-week-long institute," Hall said. "They get 65 hours of content knowledge from a university professor."

Twenty-nine teachers from such school districts as Tuckerman, Twin Rivers, Wynne, Piggott, Pocahontas and Hillcrest participated in the institute this year.

The attendees had taught for more than nine years on average, Hall said.

When public school districts become a partner in the math and science promotion, they agree to send a teacher to the institute, he explained.

Similar programs are going on across the state funded by one of more than 750 grants, all focused on middle school math and science, he said.

"As the state continues efforts to improve the rigor of mathematics and science curriculum and better prepare students for college and the workplace, the Department of Education is pleased to provide professional development opportunities to enhance our teachers' instructional abilities in these core academic subjects," said state Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Ken James in a news release.

"What we've learned," Hall said, "is that in eighth grade, content is a much higher level than what (teachers) were trained for." In addition, students are learning math and science skills at an earlier age than in the past, he added.

The institute leaders also serve as mentors to the 29 teachers that attended the summer program.

The four mentors will visit 29 teachers a minimum of four times each year, for more than 100 classroom visits. Those on-site visits are in addition to the regular college teaching loads of at least nine hours per semester.

Educators in the field also are expecting a new round of funding dedicated to math and science with a focus at the high school level, the assistant professor said.

sherry@jonesborosun.com