Assessing the Impact of a University/Community Coalition On the Mathematics Performance of Minority Students

弗吉尼亚州立大学，通过与VSU，当地学区和社区领导人的合作伙伴关系，旨在针对数学和科学问题在VSU周围的社区。 通过研究，该联盟将制定计划，有效地将STEM置于当地社区意识的最前沿。该项目将解决以下研究问题：-哪些特定的社会，文化，认知和个性因素是非裔美国学生STEM成就的重要预测因素？-什么是发展良好的学术社区合作伙伴关系对提高干参与和性能的影响，并带来了关于干课程和追求干事业的社区文化的转变？创新的数学教学法和干预措施在解决心理、认知和社会障碍方面的有效性如何，以提高非裔美国学生在初中、高中和大学阶段参加STEM课程的人数和成绩？该项目将利用罗伯特·摩西博士创立的代数项目来开发所使用的教学方法。该项目的长期目标是开发一种有效的模式，可供全国许多机构复制。

Virginia State University, through a partnership with VSU, the local school district and community leaders, seeks to target mathematics and science issues in the communities surrounding VSU. Informed by research, the coalition will develop programs which will effectively place STEM in the forefront of local community awareness.The project will address the following research questions:-What specific social, cultural, cognitive, and personality factors are significant predictors of STEM achievement among African American students?-What is the impact of a well-developed academic-community partnership on increasing STEM participation and performance, and bringing about a shift in the community culture regarding STEM courses and the pursuit of STEM careers?-What is the effectiveness of an innovative mathematical pedagogy and interventions that address psychological, cognitive and social barriers in increasing participation and improving performance in STEM courses by African American students at the middle school, high school and college levels?The project will utilize the Algebra Project, founded by Dr. Robert Moses, in developing the pedagogical approaches utilized.The long term goal of this project is to develop an effective model that can be duplicated by many institutions around the country.