SUPPORTING INNOVATIONS IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION AND TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) acknowledges the critical need to improve achievement levels of all children, especially those who are disadvantaged and historically underserved;

WHEREAS, the NBCSL seeks to improve the educational achievement and proficiency of such students in mathematics;

WHEREAS, projects exist in states such as Tennessee and Pennsylvania, which aim to strengthen elementary school education in mathematics;

WHEREAS, some of these partnerships rely on relationships between public schools and higher education institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs);

WHEREAS, teacher effectiveness programs provide teacher training; and

WHEREAS, Race To the Top is a competitive program created under the United States Department of Education that has helped to fund programs, like Tennessee and Pennsylvania’s, which improve elementary education in Mathematics.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) encourages the development of elementary mathematics-focused pilot projects in appropriate settings throughout the nation;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL encourages the United States Congress to appropriate additional funding to the Race to the Top program, so the United States Department of Education can increase the number of awards made throughout the country; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

SPONSOR(S): Representative Barbara Cooper (TN) and Representative Tommie Brown (TN)
Committee of Jurisdiction: Education Policy Committee
Certified by Committee Chair: Representative Gregory W. Porter (IN)
Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 9, 2011
Ratification is certified by: Representative Barbara W. Ballard (KS), President