Eric.ed.gov – Mathematics and Science Teacher Academy Evaluation. MSTA Final Report

In a time of evolving Algebraic standards and expectations for Minnesota teachers and students, the establishment of quality professional development and technical assistance can help educators move more confidently toward greater mathematics understanding and, subsequently, successful teaching and learning. To this end, the Minnesota Department of Education has developed the Math and Science Teacher Academy (MSTA), a statewide infrastructure focused on the improvement of mathematics and science instruction. As external evaluators, Hezel Associates has supported Minnesota’s initiative through formative and summative research since the program’s inception during the summer of 2008. In this report of the MSTA evaluation’s activities, findings, commendations and recommendations, the evaluators focus on presenting new information that has not been presented elsewhere. They combine this new information with key points that were described in previous reports to arrive at overall findings, commendations and recommendations for MSTA’s first year of implementation and impact. Three appendices are included: (1) Case Study Instruments; (2) Year-End Algebra Post-Module Survey Results; and (3) PLC, Data-Driven Decision Making and Technical Assistance Survey Results. (Contains 75 tables, 4 figures, and 24 footnotes.) [This report was prepared for the Minnesota Department of Education.]