Closing the Mathematics Achievement Gap of African American Students: A Conference on the Issues

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Closing the Mathematics Achievement Gap of African American Students: A Conference on the Issues The National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) and the Benjamin Banneker Association (BBA), in collaboration with The McKenzie Group (TMG), propose a four-month initiative to develop a broad-scale action agenda to improve mathematics teaching and learning for all students, but particularly students of African American descent. As the first stage of a broader plan to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) achievement nationwide, the mathematics initiative seeks funding to convene a conference of nationally recognized researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to develop an integrated, research-based design for closing the achievement gap, as well as a framework for implementing appropriate programmatic and policy strategies. Intellectual Merit: The project will advance knowledge and understanding of effective strategies and challenges for increasing K-12 African American mathematics achievement, as well as promote collaborate among the array of organizations committed to conducting action-research to close the African American mathematics achievement gap. NABSE and BBA, two leading advocacy and professional development organizations committed to K-12 STEM reform, along with TMG.s prior experience with STEM technical assistance, provide a solid grounding for this research and development (R&D) effort. Broader Impacts: The development of formal post-conference discussion and concept papers will broaden the impact beyond the institutions and organizations represented by conference participants. Furthermore, the combined memberships of over 7,500 African American educators from school districts throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean will provide a powerful professional network for sharing the conference publications and findings and directly impacting classroom instruction. NABSE.s 98 regional affiliates that are located within BBA.s six regions will also provide venues for continuing dialogue and collaboration at the regional and local levels. Both organizations will use their electronic communications networks that include websites and email listservs and their independent national conferences to further support these efforts. Finally, the overarching goal of increasing African American mathematics achievement will contribute to national education goals of improved K-12 student achievement in mathematics