9/20/04

TORII STATION, Okinawa , Japan - A cutting edge professional development program in parternship with Harvard University was estbalished this week for DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam teachers who teach mathematics. The on-line training program called, "Teaching Math Fundamentals on the Way to Algebraic Thinking in the Elementary School," is offered through WIDE World, the Education Technology Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This represents the first time Harvard University and its resources have joined with DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam and clearly demonstrates the world class professionalism of our administrators, teachers and students. Forty teachers will begin taking classes this week.

For this pilot, each district has nine participants with two teams per site. The district and the schools are responsible for the composition of the teams and the selection of participants. In total there are eight teams.This is a pilot program which, if found to be effective, will be opened up to more teachers. In addition, the DoDEA High School Initiative, which began School Year 2002-2003, provides resources over a five-year period to assist all high schools in offering quality educational programs for all high school students. A vital component of this initiative focuses on mathematics and calls for support classes for Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II.

Last year an additional lab class in geometry was added to help students who scored below the 50 th percentile on the mathematics portion of the system-wide TerraNova assessment. This year a third lab class was added for students that need additional support who are taking upper level math classes such as Algebra II or above.

"We are extremely excited about this new joint venture. I am confident that this new partnership with Harvard University as well as our High School Initiative in the area of mathematics will ensure that our students have access to educational programs and services that support high achievement," said Dr. Nancy Bresell, Director DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam.