Questions Teachers Frequently Ask About SUMA
- What is SUMA?
Scaling Up Mathematics Achievement (SUMA) is a research grant and a partnership between New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) to study mathematics teaching and learning in Grades K-8. The grant is funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF).
- How was my classroom chosen to be observed?
All Grade K-8 classrooms were randomly selected from a database of teachers provided by LCPS.
- What do the SUMA researchers look for when they do a classroom observation?
When the researchers visit your classroom, they use various instruments to study how students are learning math.
- What happens after the SUMA researchers leave my classroom?
The data from the various instruments are compiled, analyzed, and periodically shared with district stakeholders. To maintain confidentiality, teachers are never identified as individuals and their names never appear on any data report. Data collected by SUMA researchers will never be used as part of any evaluation process for teachers. The purpose of collecting and analyzing these data is to assist LCPS in making informed decisions to support teachers, to promote mathematics learning for students, and to develop and refine the district’s Educational Plan for Student Success (EPSS). Below are examples of how some of the data have been used so far.
o Data from teacher surveys and focus groups:
§ Teachers indicated that they felt overwhelmed by the amount of copying they had to do for Investigations. As a result, the Director of Elementary Instruction had the print shop make copies for the teachers based on their most urgent needs.
§ Teachers indicated that they wanted a different type of professional development. As a result, Math Connected Communities (MC2) in conjunction with LCPS applied for and received funds from the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) to conduct week-long math academies for elementary and middle school teachers in Las Cruces.
o Data from classroom observations:
§ The non-evaluative classroom observations conducted by NMSU faculty, Professional Development Teachers, and SUMA Teacher Researchers have helped focus teacher training. Additional professional development opportunities on standards-based learning environments, effective assessment strategies, and the use of data to guide instruction have been developed. Further training can be based on the learning difficulties students exhibit during classroom observations.
- Who are the SUMA researchers?
Dr. Cathy Kinzer Principal Investigator (PI)
Dr. Karin Wiburg Co-PI
Elizabeth Marrufo Co-PI
Rocio Benedicto Project Coordinator
Ken Korn Internal Evaluator
Naomi Schmidt Statistician
Fred Valdez Statistician
Sara Morales Teacher Researcher
Lisa Virag Teacher Researcher
We are excited about being a part of this grant and learning more about how students learn mathematics!