Louisiana is in an educational slump due to bottom-ranking math scores throughout the state. Since 2007, it’s national ranking has been 44th and below. In order for things to change in Louisiana, teachers are coming together and forming better teaching skills for children. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has received a $1.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Professor Peter Sheppard, along with three other professors at UL Lafayette wrote and submitted this grant. Professor Sheppard heads the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the college of education at the UL Lafayette, and is in charge of using the grant towards Louisiana’s Mathematics Masters in the Middle Program. Twenty effective teachers are to be chosen from Iberia, Vermillion, and Lafayette parishes, and their teaching skills will be further improved. All twenty teachers chosen will receive a ten thousand dollar stipend per year for five years and will also receive certification as a Louisiana elementary mathematics specialist.
Louisiana Tries to Improve Math Scores
