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，寻求针对VSU周围社区的数学和科学问题。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前沿。该项目将解决以下研究问题：-哪些具体的社会、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？-发展良好的学术-社区伙伴关系对增加STEM的参与和表现，并带来关于STEM课程和追求STEM职业的社区文化的转变有什么影响？-创新的数学教学和干预措施在增加非裔美国学生在中学参加STEM课程和提高其表现方面的心理、认知和社会障碍的有效性如何，高中和大学阶段？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，可以在全国各地的许多机构复制。

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.