University Receives $500,000 Grant from Department of Education

The University of Redlands has been awarded a half-million-dollar grant to fund a program that will poise elementary students to soar in mathematics achievement. The California Department of Education has conferred a 2015 California Elementary Math and Science Professional Learning Initiative (CEMSPLI) grant of about $500,000 to the University of Redlands to proactively increase mathematics achievement of elementary students in Moreno Valley Unified School District (MVUSD), with a particular focus on students who are of color, are English learners, or are from low-income families. A collaborative project of the university and the district, “Transforming Lives through Mathematics Leadership Institute” will develop thriving, collaboratively led, professional learning communities of practice in which elementary school educator teams of teachers and principals co-develop their knowledge in math-focused content, pedagogy, and technology-infused instruction so that all elementary students can build the growth mindset, number sense, and algebraic conceptual knowledge necessary to form a solid foundation for future math achievement in middle and high school. The University of Redlands serves as the lead on the grant and will oversee the project through the its School of Education’s Center for Educational Justice. Through involving faculty across the institution, the university will provide content and pedagogical expertise in math, and instructional leadership to the Moreno Valley Unified School District partners. “Partnering on math professional development for elementary school teachers, administrators and students with Moreno Valley Unified School District fits with our commitment to advance education by improving teaching and learning for students,” says Dr. Andrew Wall, dean of the School of Education at the University of Redlands. “The schools we are working with have kids who are likely to be high need, which helps to fulfill our social justice commitments to advancing education for all youth, but specifically those with the greatest need.” The grant was conceptualized and developed by Wall, Deepika Srivastava, a math teacher at MVUSD and grant writer Katie Sandberg. Martinrex Kedziora, chief academic officer for MVUSD, provided the initial vision and support for the project. Jose Lalas, director, Center for Educational Justice at the University of Redlands, will serve as the project director; Srivastava will be the project coordinator. Other partners include the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the University of California, Los Angeles, Riverside County Office of Education, Parent Ambassadors, Expanding Education, Inc., and Dr. Pamela Clute.