South Carolina Algebra Classroom Initiativeby Sandra Goff

The South Carolina Algebra Classroom is an initiative of the Mathematics and Science Unit (MSU) at State Department of Education.  The Mathematics and Science Unit’s mission is to provide relevant and quality professional development opportunities to K-12 schools and districts.  In support of that mission, The South Carolina Algebra Classroom Regional Workshops began in 2003 as one-day, four-hour Saturday workshops.  It has since evolved into an all-day professional development experience.  The regional workshops not only provide standards-based instructional materials but also provide a system of on-going support for the effective implementation of these materials through the assistance of our eight MSU Regional Centers.  During the 2005-2006 school year our regional workshops provided professional development opportunities to over 1000 Algebra I and Mathematics for the Technologies teachers across our state.

Research indicates that one of the most significant factors in student achievement is a knowledgeable and effective teacher; therefore, each component of the South Carolina Algebra Classroom Initiative focuses on giving teachers the tools needed to enhance their pedagogical and content knowledge thereby ultimately improving student achievement.  These components include the formation of a steering committee comprised of mathematics educators from across the state to provide grass roots insight into the needs of algebra teachers.  Secondly, an effort is made to ensure that each school district and/or individual school has a school contact who is responsible for forwarding information to colleagues such as activities and the SC Algebra Classroom newsletter Algebra Connections.  Lastly, the South Carolina Algebra Classroom Blackboard online community empowers teachers by providing opportunities for them to share information and best practices with other mathematics teachers from across our state.

South Carolina Algebra Classroom Year 4 promises to be even better!  The first issue of Algebra Connections for 2006-2007 will be sent out in September, and information about regional workshops will be sent out to district and school contacts in August. 

For more information contact Sandra Goff at GoffS@stcsc.edu or your local Mathematics and Science Regional Center.