Maysville/Mobile Mathematics Initiative (MMI)

The Maysville/Mobile Mathematics Initiative (MMI) is the brainchild of the Mobile Area Education Foundation (MAEF). With the help of partners such as Disney Learning Partnership, National Science Foundation, Mobile County Public Schools, A+ Research Foundation, and Alabama State Department of Education, MAEF has provided the resources and leardership to improve teacher quality, which "Research shows is the best way to increase student achievement," according to Susan Pruet, director of the initiative.

The Maysville feeder pattern, which consist of four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, is described as high-poverty, mostly African-American, and urban. Yet, as a result of this initiative, the third-graders scored higher on the mathematics subtest than the third-graders of selected school from West Mobile's low-poverty, suburban schools. Progress has been consistent over time. For example, during the 1999, 2000, and 2001 school years, third-graders from one of the Maysville schools scored in the 50th, 65th, and 72nd percentile, respectively. Consequently, MMI is receiving favorable reviews.