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The North Carolina Partnership for Improving Mathematics and Science (NC-PIMS) is a joint effort between four partner institutions of The University of North Carolina General Administration (East Carolina University, Fayetteville State University, University of North Carolina-Pembroke and University of North Carolina Wilmington) and the North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network (NC-MSEN). An additional partner is the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The partner districts have a student population in excess of 200,000, with over 40% classified as minority, and share the common characteristics of being rural and poor relative to state averages. To help the school districts increase student learning of science and mathematics while simultaneously decreasing current achievement gaps, NC-PIMS has three foci:

To develop Policies and District Leadership that support mathematics and science instruction.
To provide Teacher Professional Development and Support.
Implementation of Student Engagement activities that encourage students to remain engaged in science and mathematics learning.

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The North Carolina Partnership for Improving Mathematics and Science (NC-PIMS) is a joint effort between four partner institutions of The University of North Carolina General Administration (East Carolina University, Fayetteville State University, University of North Carolina-Pembroke and University of North Carolina Wilmington) and the North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network (NC-MSEN). The NC-MSEN Centers at three of the partner institutions serve as the NC-PIMS University Hubs,which are in close proximity to the 12 partner school districts. An additional partner is the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The partner districts have a student population in excess of 183,000, with over 40% classified as minority, and share the common characteristics of being rural and poor relative to state averages. To help the school districts increase student learning of science and mathematics while simultaneously decreasing current achievement gaps, NC-PIMS has three foci:

To develop Policies and District Leadership that support mathematics and science instruction. Efforts include:
1. establishment of a Statewide Policy Advisory Board to align policies and improve communication between districts and state agencies;
2. establishment of District Leadership Teams to help integrate the project within district reform efforts; and
3. STEM professionals who will assist teachers in deepening the level of content in instruction.
To provide Teacher Professional Development and Support. Activities include:
1. hiring full-time Facilitators to deliver professional development and provide direct support to teachers;
2. education of building-level Lead Teachers (designated elementary teachers and department chairs of middle and high schools) who will become model teachers and provide inservice for peers; and
3. creation and delivery of eleven professional development courses in science and mathematics.
Implementation of Student Engagement activities that encourage students to remain engaged in science and mathematics learning. Examples include:
1. out-of-school student activities to generate motivation in preK-8; and
2. information sessions for parents to assist them in supporting children's learning.

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Project Contributions

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes for May 2008
Posted by: Nicolle Jones . This month's newsletter contains features highlighting the closing out the NC-PIMS project and activities over the course of project.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes April 2008
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes March 2008
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes February 2008
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes January 2008
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes November 2007

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes October 2007
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes September 2007
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes August 2007
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes July 2007
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes June 2007
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes May 2007
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes April 2007
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes March 2007
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes February 2007
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes January 2007
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes December 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes November 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes October 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes September 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes August 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes July 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes June 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes May 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes April 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes March 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes February 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes January 2006
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes December 2005
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes November 2005
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes October 2005
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes September 2005
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes August 2005
Monthly update on project activities.

NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes July 2005
Monthly update on project activities.

Equity for All Students of Mathematics: Aligning Beliefs and Practices
"A major issue for mathematics educators is helping students with disabilities; minorities, females, and low socioeconomic groups become proficient mathematicians. Although teachers voice a belief that...

Ethno- mathematics: Why?
"Ethno- mathematics is the study of mathematics which takes into consideration the culture in which mathematics arises. We all have some notions of what ethnomathematics is, but should it be...

The Promise of a Dynamic Mathematics Classroom: Technology at Work
"Technology is an essential tool for the 21st century mathematics classroom. The value of multiple technologies in the K-12 classroom produces multiple payoffs for students' learning and understanding....

Mathematics Coaching: A Next Step In The NC-PIMS Mathematics Leadership Initiative
"An examination of the importance of high-quality teachers and influential factors in the development of such teachers for increasing student achievement."

NC-PIMS Facilitator White Papers Spring 2007
Posted by: Nicolle Jones . NC-PIMS Facilitators examine an array of topics and challenges within contemporary mathematics education and strategies for providing quality professional development to mathematics educators.

Teacher Effect Model for Impacting Student Achievement
Research recognizes that the greatest determinate of student achievement is the teacher, yet questions remain as to what characteristics of teachers are the most influential. This paper explores the teacher...

An NC-PIMS View of Challenging Courses and Curriculum
Posted by: Nicolle Jones . Originally published in the June 26, 2006 edition of NC-PIMS Project Director's Notes, this piece examines Classroom practices that promote active engagement in the learning of mathematics.

The Ideal NC-PIMS Classroom
Posted by: Nicolle Jones . Sometime ago, we asked our Facilitators, and some of our Lead Teachers, to elaborate on the characteristics of the ideal NC-PIMS classroom in terms of what is it that we...

Special Edition Project Director's Notes for April 2006 NSF Site Visit to Greenville, NC
Posted by: Nicolle Jones . This issue features recaps on the Day 1 and 2 sessions from the 2006 NSF Site Visit to Greenville NC, including photos from the Site Visit and special thanks to...

NC-PIMS Nuggets January 2006
Posted by: Nicolle Jones . The North Carolina Partnership for Improving Mathematics and Science (NC-PIMS) project shares a summary of project activities to date. Topics covered include professional development in mathematics content,...

Science Facilitator Wins Award
Posted by: Nicolle Jones . Dr. Linda E. James and Ms. Tammy Lee, both in the College of Education at East Carolina, were recently awarded Distinguished Service in Science Education in North Carolina Awards by...

NC-PIMS Progress Slide Show
Posted by: Nicolle Jones . Power Point Presentation describing the North Carolina Partnership for Improving Mathematics and Science (NC-PIMS) project. Click here for a web-viewable PDF

Project Contributions

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