PRESS RELEASE
May 3, 2012
Grant puts PEP in science, math classes to get students more engaged
CAMPBELL COUNTY SCHOOLS – A $30,000 grant will improve student learning by sending teachers back to school.
The grant, awarded to Campbell County Schools from the Toyota Partnership Enhancement Program (PEP), will be used to provide extensive professional development to math and science teachers in grades 6-12. Teachers will participate in 18 hours of instruction on improved teaching techniques including use of software and technology new to the Campbell County Schools classrooms such as LabQuest2 which enables students to collect and analyze data electronically. All instruction is meant to better prepare educators to increase student engagement in the classroom. Courses are being planned for the end of July.
“It is our plan to enhance student work in math and science by increasing student engagement, increasing the use of instructional strategies that promote critical thinking and analytical skills, and having staff deliver relevant parts of the math and science curriculum using improved methodologies,” said Tim Schneider, staff developer for Campbell County Middle School.
The school district will work with faculty from the math and science departments from Northern Kentucky University to determine the most effective methodologies to teach and securing experts in the science and math fields to teach the courses. Before applying for the grant, NKU faculty also worked with Schneider to create a needs assessment survey which was delivered to staff and students to determine what needs were not currently being met.
Math and science scores for CCS students have increased consistently in recent years on state and national assessments. The goal is for every child to reach specified benchmark scores, indicating college and career readiness, and increased success rates in postsecondary work.
“Many of our students at CCS do quite well in math and science but in the 21st Century doing well is just not enough. We need to engage every student. We must remain competitive and better prepare our students to successfully meet the rigor of the new math and up and coming science standards. In doing so, we are preparing them to meet the demands of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers,” said Associate Superintendent Dr. Shelli Wilson.
The PEP program awards funds for year-long collaborations of K- 12 school districts and postsecondary faculty to address locally identified STEM education challenges. Each grant supports a district and its faculty partner(s) in designing and developing locally implemented projects to address those needs.
The purpose of the proposed Toyota Foundation-PEP is to establish a new consortium of academic and community partners in central and northern Kentucky to test the transferability of this unique model from rural to urban districts. Funds would support approximately 12 peer-reviewed $30000 Toyota Foundation-PEP grant awards in schools across both regions. The project would develop faculty partners from regional colleges and university and teachers from schools identified by partner P-16 Councils.
For more information, contact Staff Developer Tim Schneider at 859-635-6077.
Campbell County School District provides the highest quality public education and extracurricular activities for nearly 5,000 students in preschool through grade 12. The district has earnedthe prestigious AdvancEd International accreditation and is among the top ranking districts in Kentucky on state and national assessments. More information is available at