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Recent Technical Assistance Projects

Title: Toby Farms Elementary School Professional Development in Geometry and Measurement

Sponsor/Funder: U S. Department of Education and Pennsylvania Department of Education

Target Audience: Toby Farms Elementary School

Collaborating Agencies: Pennsylvania Department of Education, Widener University, and Toby Farms Elementary School

Dates: 2004 - 2007

Description: RBS is collaborating with Widener University and Toby Farms Elementary School to provide intensive and sustained professional development and support in geometry and measurement for all staff members at the school. The foundation of this professional development is the IMAGES (Improving Measurement and Geometry in Elementary Schools) program, which was developed through RBS by the Pennsylvania State Team for Mathematics and Science Education.

All Toby Farms staff initially participated in four half-day, and four full-day summer workshops focused on geometry content and activities that were linked to literature and Web materials. During the school year following the initial training, additional instruction was provided to strengthen and deepen staff's understanding of the mathematics concepts. The professional developers also work with school staff in their classrooms and in small collaborative groups to support and assist with the implementation of content and pedagogy.

The curriculum cycle for each phase goes from May of one year to May of the following year. The emphasis of the second cycle will be measurement, and the third cycle will focus on algebraic concepts. Additionally, a goal of this project is to develop local leadership among staff. Specifically, RBS has:

Outcomes: Begun in April 2004, the project has completed the summer professional development sessions focused on geometry content. Pre- and post-testing has shown positive results, and teachers' comments have been positive. Instructors are currently working with school staff members to assist them in implementing the content and pedagogy that they have learned.

Products and/or Web Links: None Available

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