Summer Academy Aims to Recruit Future Math Teachers

A group of approximately 45 high school juniors are about to begin a summer experience that could transform their futures. The $340,000 Ohio Board of Regents-funded Southwest Ohio Secondary Teaching Academy – a partnership involving UC, Miami University, Xavier University, Cincinnati Public Schools and Princeton City Schools – gets underway at Miami on June 16. After a week-long stay on Miami’s campus, the group tours Central State University on June 23 before checking in to Dabney Hall at UC later that afternoon. They’ll be on campus at UC through June 30. The program is geared toward building interest among underrepresented populations (primarily African-American and urban-Appalachian students) in becoming future high-school math teachers.

The summer experience will provide three college credit hours as students take pre-calculus from 10 instructors representing UC and Miami University faculty, high school math teachers and a UC doctoral candidate. The summer program launches a year-long academy that will result in a $1,000 stipend for the students ($500 at the end of the summer program), three credit-hours of college math, free residence hall accommodations, free textbooks and a free graphing calculator.

The year-long academy will also provide summer internships and research experiences, mentor relationships, regional college visits and 10 Saturday academies through the 2007-2008 school year where students will meet with college admissions staff and learn about college entrance requirements, financial aid and more.

“They will meet the advising staff from UC, Miami and Xavier universities, as well as college education faculty and admissions professionals,” says Nelson Vincent, associate dean for the University of Cincinnati College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services. “We plan to bond with each and every student to help them develop a personal college package.”

“This program will help to insure the future of mathematics education in our region,” says Michael Flick, chair of the Department of Secondary and Special Education at Xavier University and director of the Xavier Center for Excellence in Education. “Teaching mathematics is a career that makes a difference. We all have a personal stake in the success of each student.”

The academy is one of 10 regional academies funded by the Ohio Board of Regents as part of a $3.5 million initiative to prepare Ohio high-school students to pursue high school teaching careers in mathematics, science and foreign languages – careers they may not have considered before.

The summer academies are in response to House Bill 115 of the 126th General Assembly, which appropriated $13.2 million in Fiscal Year 2007 to support the implementation of the Ohio Core recommendations through initiatives designed to increase teacher capacity in mathematics, science and foreign language. House Bill 115 also provides opportunities to ensure the success of students in transitioning to college and work.

H.B. 115 requirements for the summer academies focus on providing students entering 11th and 12th grade the opportunity to earn college credit, at no charge, while also meeting high school requirements for mathematics, science and foreign language. In addition, the summer academy concept is intended to provide students an opportunity to consider secondary teaching in these disciplines as a career, particularly students who currently may not aspire to college or to study in the STEM fields or foreign language.

Participating Schools in the Southwest Ohio Secondary Teaching Academy

• Clark Montessori
• Colerain High School
• Hughes Center
• Northwest High School
• Oak Hills High School
• Princeton High School
• Shroder Paideia
• St. Xavier High School
• Withrow High School

Summer Program Contacts:

Miami University: Ray Terrell, assistant dean for research and diversity in the School of Education and Allied Professions, 513-678-1371, e-mail terrelr@muohio.edu

UC: Nelson Vincent, associate dean, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, 513-556-2323, e-mail nelson.vincent@uc.edu