Development of Texas Master Mathematics Teachers Through the Rice University Mathematics Leadership Institute
The Rice University Mathematics Leadership Institute (MLI), now in its fifth year, is a collaboration among the university and Houston and Aldine Independent School Districts (HISD and AISD, respectively), two school districts which serve diverse urban communities. High school mathematics lead teachers attend two intensive Summer Leadership Institutes that focus on rigorous mathematics and development of leadership and coaching skills with a strong diversity component. During intervening academic years, the MLI Leadership Team continues to support and develop lead teachers through monthly after-school meetings and individual school visits.
- A combined total of 33 AISD and HISD Cohort 1 MLI lead teachers participated in the first academic year in 2005-2006.
- An additional 28 AISD and HISD Cohort 2 MLI lead teachers participated in MLI in its third academic year in 2007-2008.
- For the 2008-2009 academic year, the number of Cohort 1 MLI lead teachers stands at 21 and Cohort 2 MLI lead teachers stands at 21 for a combined total of 42.
In order to further increase lead teachers' mathematics content knowledge, improve their knowledge of pedagogy, further develop their leadership knowledge, and enhance their status as intellectual leaders in mathematics education in their school districts, lead teachers were supported to become certified Texas Master Mathematics Teachers, Grades 8-12 (MMT) after their second Summer Leadership Institute. Credentials and preparation of teachers are known to have positive effects on student achievement in mathematics (e.g., Hill, 2007; Ladd, 2007).
In this session, we will:
(1) outline the rigorous process required to obtain this certification;
(2) describe the impact on lead teachers of attaining this certification;
(3) describe the impact of this pool of MMTs on their school districts and the state of Texas; and
(4) analyze items from the examination.
