Bridges to Algebra Excellence Symposium

Preparing Alabama's Students for the 21st Century 

 Click here to view Symposium Agenda and Presentations

The purpose of the Bridges to Algebra for Excellence Symposium is to create an opportunity to draw on the collective expertise of elementary and middle grades mathematics teacher leaders from across Alabama around issues and "options for actions" related to preparing students for success in higher levels of mathematics. During the Symposium, mathematics teacher leaders from AMSTI-USA, the Greater Birmingham Mathematics Partnership (GBMP), and the Mobile Math Initiative (MMI) will hear Dr. Tommy Bice, Deputy Superintendent of the Alabama State Department of Education, describe current directions in Alabama to raise mathematics standards and Dr. Mary Lindquist, former president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), discuss subsequent implications on K-8 mathematics. Mr. Gary Kubina, Presidential Award Winner for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching, will share his perspective as a master secondary mathematics teacher, with over 25 years of experience in the Mobile County Public School System, on the need for better articulation and collaboration across the grade levels and school levels around mathematics. During breakout sessions participants will learn about best practices from each of the participating mathematics initiatives releated to developing algebra readiness for our K-8 students.

Dr. Brandon Towle, lead scientist for Carnegie Learning, Inc., provides the keynote address after lunch titled "What Cognitive Research Says about Algebra Readiness." Carnegie Learning, Inc. is a leading developer of core, full-year mathematics programs as well as supplemental applications for middle school and high school students that help youngsters cross the bridge from arithmetic to algebra and beyond. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes Carnegie Learning's Cognitive Tutor Algebra I program as one of the only math curricula scientifically proven to have significant, positive effects on student learning. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Learning was founded by cognitive science researchers from Carnegie Mellon University in conjunction with veteran mathematics teachers (p.22, Guide to Mathematics Intervention Solutions: A Roadmap for Student Success by Christy McGuire and Dr. Steve Ritter).

The Bridges to Algebra for Excellence Symposium concludes with table discussions around "options for action" focusing on topics of critical importance in order to reach higher standards in mathematics. Through the use of sophisticated technology, participants will submit individual votes to prioritize the option for each topic.

Click here to view the report on the Symposium that captures our teacher leaders' voices.

The Bridges to Algebra Excellence Symposium is sponsored by the Mobile Area Education Foundation and its Mobile Math Initiative in partnership with AMSTI-USA and the Greater Birmingham Mathematics Partnership, and with funding provided in part by the NCLB Act of 2001 through the Alabama State Department of Education Title II and V Grants to the Mobile Math Initiative, 2008-2009 and Carnegie Learning, Inc.

 Bridges to Algebra Excellence Symposium is sponsored in part by Carnegie Learning, Inc.