Project MSI

Project MSI (December 2009 – June 2011): Mathematics Skills Institute for paraeducators and teachers represented a partnership between the Paraprofessional Research and Resource (PAR²A) Center housed in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver and several high-need districts. Project MSI delivered professional development institutes on mathematics content knowledge and pedagogical skills to 76 participants. The project participants included highly qualified paraeducators enrolled in teacher preparation programs, as well as new teachers who had recently transitioned from paraeducator positions in high-need school districts. The institutes utilized the PAR²A Center’s field-tested CO-TOP Mathematics Education curriculum that aims at enhancing participants’ skills and confidence to deliver rigorous and high-quality mathematics instruction in high-need schools and districts. Project MSI provided in-classroom coaching and feedback by trained coaches who ensured implementation of skills on the job after the participants completed the CO-TOP Mathematics training. Both quantitative and qualitative data collected for the project revealed that participants in Project MSI certainly benefited from the training and coaching, more importantly, were better prepared to serve students in the classroom after they completed the mathematics institutes.

For more information on this project please contact Ritu Chopra.