University of Pennsylvania Launches Algebra 1 Fellowship

News Summary

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education has introduced an Algebra 1 Fellowship funded by nearly $5 million from the Neubauer Family Foundation. This initiative targets educators in the School District of Philadelphia to enhance Algebra 1 instruction. The program, open to 8th and 9th-grade teachers, includes stipends, professional development, and support aimed at improving teaching practices and student success over three years.

Philadelphia – The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) has launched a significant educational initiative aimed at enhancing Algebra 1 instruction for educators in the School District of Philadelphia (SDP). The newly announced Algebra 1 Fellowship, which comes with a robust funding of nearly $5 million from the Neubauer Family Foundation, is set to provide vital support to Algebra educators while aligning teaching practices with SDP’s Illustrative Math curriculum.

The fellowship is open to all 8th and 9th-grade Algebra 1 teachers within the SDP, with the primary objective of improving teaching strategies grounded in research. Selected educators will receive a stipend of $3,000, professional learning credits, and a certificate of participation from Penn GSE for their engagement in the program.

The Algebra 1 Fellowship is structured to launch with a four-day Summer Institute in August, followed by a year-long program that includes monthly peer collaboration sessions, individualized coaching, and three professional development follow-up days. This ongoing engagement aims to not only strengthen instructional practices but also enhance educators’ content knowledge, thereby fostering a supportive network among Algebra teachers across the city.

The initiative is designed to serve up to 100 teachers each year over a three-year period, potentially impacting 300 educators in total. This substantial investment in teacher support reflects the critical role that Algebra 1 plays in student achievement, especially for historically underserved populations.

Dr. Katharine O. Strunk, Dean of Penn GSE, emphasized the importance of addressing identified needs within the SDP and highlighted the foundation’s significant investment in equipping teachers with essential strategies and tools to promote student success. Meanwhile, Dr. Tony Watlington, Superintendent of the SDP, underscored the potential benefits of the fellowship on students’ academic trajectories, noting that Algebra 1 serves as a critical gateway subject for future educational achievements.

The management of the fellowship will be overseen by Lara Paparo from Penn GSE’s Penn Learning Network (PLN). Educators will have access to tailored content development from math experts at Penn GSE, such as Janine Remillard and Caroline Ebby, alongside collaborators from the University of Delaware and PLN. Additionally, Sade Bonilla from Penn GSE will lead a rigorous external evaluation to ensure that the program can continuously improve and assess its scalability and overall impact.

The Algebra 1 Fellowship not only aims to advance teaching practices but also complements other programs offered by Penn GSE, including the Promoting Achievement and Support for STEM (PASS) initiative, which focuses on professional development for K-12 leaders in the realms of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Overall, the fellowship has been thoughtfully designed to respond to district priorities and address the immediate needs within classrooms, thereby enhancing public education in Philadelphia. The collaborative efforts involved reflect a commitment to fostering a strong education system that empowers teachers and positively affects student outcomes in mathematics.

For those interested in learning more about the Algebra 1 Fellowship, additional information is available on the Penn GSE website.

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Additional Resources

• Newswise: Penn GSE Launches Algebra 1 Fellowship
• Google Search: Algebra 1 Fellowship Penn GSE
• MSN: Philly Schools to Pour $5M into Teacher Training
• Google Scholar: Algebra 1 Fellowship Philadelphia
• Billy Penn: Philadelphia School District Curriculum Criticisms
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Algebra Education