"Strong skills in math and science are critical both to our children's future and to Alabama's ability to compete. Many of the fastest growing industries, such as aerospace and bio-tech, require highly skilled workers with solid abilities in math and science," said Riley, who has made funding for AMSTI a priority.
Throughout the summer, teachers across the state are going back to class to attend two-week AMSTI training sessions at 16 locations. In order for a school to become an AMSTI school, math and science teachers at the school must attend two weeks of training for two consecutive summers. In return, they are provided all of the math and science equipment and materials needed for hands-on activities in their classrooms. In addition, they receive follow-up training and classroom support as they implement the new teaching methods learned at the training sessions.
AMSTI's success is seen in both the hard numbers that show students in AMSTI schools making gains in math and science and from the support and praise the program receives from teachers, students and administrators. AMSTI is now the focus of a study being conducted with funding from the United States Department of Education and is being used as a model in other states.
During the summer training sessions, teachers are grouped according to subject and grade levels as they learn specific activities and strategies they will use to teach the content mandated by Alabama state standards. The training also helps deepen the content knowledge of teachers. The program has been so successful that many universities now offer math and science credit to participants.
Funding for AMSTI is being increased from $22 million to $35.8 million in the coming fiscal year.
