Mathworks Curriculum Project aims to boost middle schools

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
November 6, 2007

The three-year grant of $386,000 will support development, testing and piloting of the Mathworks middle school mathematics curriculum. The Mathworks Curriculum Project began with support form the RGK Foundation and Kodosky Foundation. The first volume, Math Explorations and pre-algebra, is now complete and being piloted.  The Meadows grant will support the development of Math Explorations Part II, Algebra, along with associated teacher training. Experienced teachers will work with Texas State faculty and undergraduates to develop a math learning community that supports the teachers and curriculum project during the school year. Undergraduate Meadows Fellows will also assist in curriculum development and editing, providing a unique opportunity for Texas State undergraduates to work on innovative research projects in mathematics education.

The Mathworks curriculum extends the Mathworks Junior Summer Math Camp curriculum to a full school-year program for 6-8 graders that introduces young students to algebra and higher-level mathematics.  The curriculum is being piloted in San Marcos, New Braunfels, McAllen, Eanes, KIPP in Austin and St. Michael’s in Arizona.  The curriculum authors are Max Warshauer, Hiroko Warshauer and Terry McCabe.

Texas Mathworks is a center for mathematics education that develops model programs and self-sustaining learning communities that engage Texas K-12 students from all backgrounds in doing mathematics at a high level. Mathworks was honored by Governor Perry as one of five programs in Texas to receive the 2001 Texas Higher Education Star Award for Closing the Gaps, in recognition of its success in raising the mathematics level for all students, particularly underserved groups.

The Meadows Foundation is a private philanthropic institution established in 1948 by Algur H. and Virginia Meadows to benefit the people of Texas. The Meadows Foundation mission is to assist the people and institutions of Texas to improve the quality and circumstances of life for themselves and future generations.  The Meadows Foundation is among the most recognized private philanthropies in the country. It was the first recipient of the Texas Medal of the Arts for sustained support of arts and culture in Texas, and was named Outstanding Foundation of the year by the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.