News and Updates

EMS&TL Project Releases Math Specialists Discussion Forum - Aug. 2010
Just released, the Math Specialists Discussion Forum is a networking tool for specialists, coaches, and current or aspiring leaders. A secure discussion forum, users should sign-up as a member of this Spruz network and post questions/inquiries, resources, responses or suggestions for view/use by other network members. Be sure to also check out the main page for updates, blogs, photos and events.

Brookhill Foundation Sponsors the AMTE EMS State Certification Conference in Louisville, KY - June 22-23, 2010
Teams from 13 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Washington and West Virginia) met to explore efforts related to the establishment of elementary mathematics specialist state certification/endorsement. Conference participants met with national leaders of the growing EMS movement and examined the research related to the impact of specialists/coaches, existing graduate level programs of study, the EMS&TL project clearinghouse, the role of NCSM's PRIME Leadership Framework, and strategic considerations in developing state EMS certification. State teams began the development of action plans for state EMS certification/endorsement using AMTE's Standards for Elementary Mathematics Specialists: A Reference for Teacher Credentialing and Degree Programs.

EMS&TL Staff Sponsor First Annual EMS Summer Institute - June 3-4, 10-11, 2010
Elementary mathematics specialists and teacher leaders from 4 Maryland school districts met to participate in an institute that focused on mathematics content, pedagogy, and leadership issues facing schools and school districts. Topics addressed the Common Core State Standards initiative, the status of Maryland's Mathematics Instructional Leader endorsements, emerging technology tools for mathematics leaders, practice focused professional development tools (U of Michigian), intervention and assessment, and other leadership challenges. District teams developed professional development plan proposals to be awarded through competitive mini-grants funded by the Brookhill Foundation.

AMTE, ASSM, NCSM and NCTM Release Joint Position Statement on the Role of Elementary Mathematics Specialists in Teaching and Learning of Mathematics - May 2010
The AMTE, ASSM, NCSM, and NCTM recommend the use of Elementary Mathematics Specialists (EMS professionals) in pre-K-6 environments to enhance the teaching, learning and assessing of mathematics to improve student achievement. Every elementary school should have access to an EMS. Districts, states or provinces, and institutions of higher education should work in collaboration to create (1) advanced certification for EMS professionals and (2) rigorous programs to prepare EMS professionals. Click here to read the position statment.

EMS&TL Session at the NCSM Conference - April 2010
On April 19, EMS&TL Project staff presented a session, "Elementary Specialists: An Update and Challenges" at the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. Topics such as current certification efforts, professional development needs, leadership challenges, highlights of promising programs, and research regarding the impact of specialists/coaches were discussed. The session acquainted participants with the EMS&TL Project. Click here to download session slides.

EMS&TL Session at the AMTE Conference - Jan. 2010
Standards for Elementary Mathematics Specialists: A Reference for Teacher Credentialing and Degree Programs was shared at the Fourteenth Annual Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Conference in Irvine, CA on January 28, 2010. The AMTE Elementary Mathematics Specialists (EMS) project group shared an overview of the standards including how to use the recommendations to advocate for EMS. Overviews of the EMS&TL project and the K-5 Mathematics Specialists Academy were provided. Click here to download the presentation slides from the EMS Pre-Conference session.

The EMS&TL project staff are in search of information about existing district-level mathematics specialist models. For more information visit the District Level Programs page.